Article · March 018 citations reads 1,144 author: Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects

International
Vol.
Article History: 
Received 21
st
November, 2017 
Received in revised form
10
th
December, 2017 
Accepted 05
th
January, 2018 
Published online 28
th
February, 2018
Citation: Sathiraju Venkata Satyanarayana and 
purpose”, 
International Journal of Current Research
, 
 
Key words: 
 
Corn, Cow Dung,
Desert Soil,
Growth, Yield.
 
 

 
 
 
RESEARCH ARTICLE 
 
DESERT SOIL CONDITIONING AND RECLAMATION FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSE
 
Sathiraju Venkata Satyanarayana and 
2
Asma Hashil Salim Al
 
Department of Built and Natural Environment, Caledonian College of Engineering, Muscat, Oman
Project Student, Department of Built and Natural Environment, 
Caledonian College of Engineering, Muscat, Oman 
 
ABSTRACT 
Any area which experiences average annual rainfall less than 600mm becomes desert in due course. 
The average annual rainfall of Sultanate of Oman is 100mm. That is how the Sultanate of Oman lands 
became desert soils. The climate change and temperature affect the growth and yield of food grains 
crops. The climate from October to February is very pleasant and best suitable for agriculture. The 
evapotransmission losses of plants are minimum. The aim of this research project is to convert desert 
land suitable for agricultural purpose. The desert soil samples were collec
soil was conditioned by adding cow dung, vermin compost, chemical fertilizers and biochar. Water 
was sprinkled occasionally to maintain soil moisture 15 to 20 %. The corn seeds are planted at a 
distance of 300mm each. The growth of corn plants was very encouraging.