SOME PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOILS IN THE BEQA'A PLAIN, LEBANON

Physical and chemical properties of red soils, white rendzina, light chestnut, dark chestnut, grey, black, and recent alluvial soils as mapped by Geze (1956) were compared statistically. No statistically significant differences were found between surface soil (0–15 cm) and upper subsoil (15–30 cm) in any properties. Red soils were significantly lower than the others in total N, CEC, and CaCO₃ content. Recent alluvial soils were high in montmorillonite probably derived from the white rendzinas. The rendzinas were significantly higher in available P and CaCO₃ than any other soil. Black and grey soils, previously classified as one category, should be separated as they were significantly different in most properties.