Download pdf - Land Suitability for Agricultural of Certain Crops in Al-Bostan Area, Egypt

Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, 4(5): 485-499, 2008© 2008, INSInet Publication

Corresponding Author: M.Z. Salem, Soils and Water Use Dept., National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.

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Land Suitability for Agricultural of Certain Crops in Al-bostan Area, Egypt

M.Z. Salem, G.W. Ageeb and I.S. Rahim

Soils and Water Use Dept., National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract: Eighteen soil profiles have been chosen to represent production and research station of National

Research Centre, which including El-Emam Malek and El-Esraa and El Mearage farms. The mainmorphological properties of the studied soil profiles were described. The studied soil profiles are classified

to subgroup level according to Key of Soil Taxonomy as Typic Torripsamments. The obtained resultsindicate that the soil texture is sandy, and gravels are found in some soil profiles. Organic matter content

is low and ranged between 0.08-0.92 %. Soil salinity is low and ranges between 0.15-1.64 dS/m. Cation

exchange capacity is low and ranges between 4.2-13.9 meq/100g soil. Calcium carbonate content rangesbetween 1.17-13.34%. Land capability classification of area under investigation is belonging to Class 4,

the limiting factors for agricultural production are gravel percent (G%), available moisture percent(AM%),

exchangeable sodium percent (ESP) and cation exchange capacity(CEC). The studied soils are evaluatedto determine its suitability for growing 12 crops. Data reveal that soil profiles from El Emam Malek and

El-Esraa farms are placed at high suitable (S2) and moderate suitable (S3) for growing crops, while soils

represented by profiles 5 and 6 are placed at non-suitable (S5) for growing crops, the limiting factors foragricultural production are soil texture and exchangeable sodium percent (ESP) in the most of soil profiles.

Key words: Land suitability, Land capability, Remote sensing, Geographic Information System, Al-Bostan area.

INTRODUCTION

Production and research station of NationalResearch Centre, which including El-Emam Malek farm(145 feddans) and El-Esraa and El-Mearage farm (160feddans). The study area lies to the North West of theNile Delta of Egypt between 30° 29 N and 30° 19 E(El-Emam Malek farm) and 30° 30 N to 30° 21 E(El-Esraa and El-Mearage farm) Map (1). The aim ofthe present study is to evaluate land capability andsuitability for growing different crops.

Such work will be useful for agriculturaldevelopment policy of the region under consideration.The climate of the studied area is situated in the desertzone of Egypt which characterized by hot dry summerand warm winter. The maximum air temperature is31.6C° in August, while the minimum air temperatureis 7.4C° in January. The maximum rainfall is 10.30

mm in December, while the minimum rainfall is 0.00in June, July and August. The relative air humidityshows the highest value is 69.7 % in January, whilethe lowest value is 53% in July. The highest windspeed is 21.1km/hr in April . Parent material of the[1]

studied soils is sand deposits. The digital elevationmodel (DEM) is illustrated in Maps 2 and 3, showsthat elevation ranges from 23-48 m A.S.L. at El-EmamMalek farm and 13-42m A.S.L. at El-Esraa and El-Mearage farm.

The main resource of irrigation water at Al-Bostanarea is El-Nubariya canal through Al-Bostan canalexcept for some areas that irrigated by artesian wellswater .[2]

The identified soils of West Nubariya, Egyptaccording to analyzed data from both landsat MSS andSPOT high resolution visible, belong to Entisols andAridisols . Soils of some newly areas in Nubariya[3]

could be classified as: Typic Torripsamments, TypicCalciorthids and Typic Paleorthids . While soils of[4]

West Nubariya classified to, Typic Calciorthids, CalcicGypsiorthids, Cambic Gypsiorthids, Typic Torriorthents,and Lithic Torriorthents . The area extends to cover[5]

seven villages at West Nubariya which represent thefirst stage of reclamation soils classified toHaploclaci-gypsids, Haplocalcids, Petrocalcids andPetrogypsids . Many areas which locate in Nubariya[6]

for sustainable agricultural development through out the

integration of GIS/RS techniques, with link clusteranalysis, classified as, Typic Haplosalids, TypicTorr ips a m m e nt s , Typ ic Ha p logypsids, Typ icCalcigypsids and Typic Haplocalcids . [6]

Designed a computer program (SSCC) based on[7] [8 ]

have been used to determine quantitatively soilsuitability for certain crops and named this method.The concept of SSCC program is to match soilcharacteristics with crops requirements (includesclimatic requirement) the possibility for including more

Res. J. Agric. & Biol. Sci., 4(5): 485-499, 2008

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Map 1: Location map of the production and research station of National Research Centre, Landsat (ETM 2001)

Map 2: Digital elevation model of El-Emam Malek farm


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Map 3: Digital elevation model of El Esraa and El- Merage farm

crops. The limitations are gravel %, salinity, ESP,

depth and slope. The formula is as follows IS =A.B.C.D.E.F.G.H. The suggested quantitative systems[9]

were more suitable under the Egyptian conditions,

where the results were compatible and added that[10,11]

it could be considered prevailing in the soils of Egypt.

On the other hand reported that the quantitative land[12]

capability classification also worked out following themodified system . The main objectives of land[11]

evaluation are to assess the suitability of different tractsof land for specific alternative forms of rural land

use . 5.46 % of total area of newly reclaimed areas[13]

in Nubariya area high suitable only for olives andmoderately suitable for potato, pepper, onion, garlic,

watermelon, apples, almond, date palms, citrus, grape

and pea . Land capability classification indicated that[4]

soils of West Nubariya belong to class 1(9.34%), class

II (20.74%) and class III (70.10%). Land suitability

classification was carried out for wheat, alfalfa, maizeand watermelon . While land capability classification[14]

of the soils of branch 20 areas of West Nubariya

belong to class I, II, III and IV . Land suitability[6]

evaluation for wheat, maize, citrus and banana

respectively, have been done in the same study.

The changes in soil characteristics and soil qualityunder different land use periods and management

practices (cropping patterns, irrigation systems, water

recourses and quality were compare and analyze

also the study dealt with land capability and land

suitability in sandy soils at El Bostan region,[1 5]

and found that the capability classes of the

investigated area are classes (C3) moderate, (C4)

marginal, while most of the studied soils aremoderately (class 3) to low (class 4) suitable for tested

crops. The main limiting factors in all the studied soils

are soil texture, sodium saturation, salinity, useful depthand carbonate content.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen soil profiles were chosen to representthe studied area which covering about 305

feddans. Ten soil profiles from El-Emam Malek farm

and eight profiles from El-Esraa and El-Mearagefarm. The profiles were morphologically described .[16]

Fifty five soil samples were collected for the following

analyses; particle size distribution using standardsieving technique , soil moisture constants ,[ 1 7] [ 1 8 ]

hydraulic conductivity in disturbed soil samples , soil [ 19]

reaction (pH) of soil water suspension (1:2.5), EC(dS/m) of soil extract (1:1), soluble cations and anions,

Cation exchange capacity (CEC), calcium carbonate

3content (CaCO %) and gypsum content . [20]

Soil classification was carried out . Land[21]

capability classification was performed on the

study area , while land suitability classification was[22]


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performed using MicroLIES Almagra evaluationmodel . The main soil characteristics considered in[23]

this system as follow: useful depth, texture, drainage,

calcium carbonate content, salinity, sodium saturationand degree of development of the profile.

GIS Database: GIS database of production and

research station soils was established in Arc GIS 9.0

software. The database was started by create a basemaps of the farms, which includes a number of 120

observation points. These points were observed to get

the spot height and geographic position by GPS of thesurface features of the farms. The database include a

set of thematic maps such as location of the farm,

contour lines, surface layout of the farms, location ofthe soil profiles, gravel distribution, alkalinity, salinity,

cation exchange capacity, calcium carbonate distribution

and soil depth. These maps were produced dependupon the attribute data of the observation points and

soil profile analyses. The GIS database includes

detailed description and laboratory analyses of 18 soilprofiles and land suitability for growing 12 crops.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Physical properties: Data in Table (1) show that the

particle size distribution of the studied soil profiles, thesoil texture was sandy, where the sand fraction more

than 94%, with very low percent of clay and siltfractions. The gravels percent ranged between 10 –

90% in El-Emam Malek (profiles 3, 4, 5 and 6), while

it is ranging from 2-24% at El-Esraa and El-Mearagefarms (profiles 12, 13, 14, 15 and 18).

The soil moisture constants presented in Table (2),

the available water (AW%) was low and rangedbetween 5.4-9.9%, of El-Emam Malek farm and 6.7-

10.7 of El-Esraa and El-Mearage farm. This is expected

due to the relatively low clay content and consequentlylow water holding capacity. Soil hydraulic conductivity

(HC) was high values in the study area and ranged

between 14.3-25.1 cm/hr, these high values may beattributed to be sandy texture of the soils.

Chemical Properties: The data presented in Table (3)show that the soil salinity (EC/dS/m) in most profiles

Table 1: Particle size distribution of the studied soil profiles

Profile No. Depth (cm) Gravel % VCS% CS % MS % FS % VFS % Silt+clay % Texture

El-Emam Malek farm

1 0-20 - 2.44 11.12 32.34 34.85 15.73 3.25 Sandy

20-60 - 1.55 10.45 33.32 32.45 18.76 3.47 Sandy

60-150 - 2.21 20.23 40.35 28.35 6.55 2.31 Sandy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 0-40 - 14.14 11.27 34.25 32.22 4.89 3.23 Coarse nd

40-150 - 15.22 13.23 28.53 33.45 5.36 4.21 Coarse sand

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 0-150 10 22.32 19.45 33.45 10.21 7.57 2.32 Coarse sand

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 0-30 13 12.34 20.22 30.41 30.22 4.49 2.32 Coarse sand

30-50 18 10.11 8.23 20.31 52.13 5.91 3.31 Fine sand

50-70 95 7.25 10.25 30.22 30.44 18.39 3.45 Sandy

70-150 79 6.35 7.32 28.22 34.2 19.66 4.25 Sandy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 0-50 38 3.45 7.75 30.23 37.22 19.03 2.32 Sandy

50-70 59 1.54 2.75 23.12 54.47 14.37 3.75 Sandy

70-150 - 2.54 8.73 33.24 36.35 14.89 4.25 Sandy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6 0-60 40 10.11 13.45 37.21 30.25 5.75 3.23 Sandy

60-150 10 8.72 7.15 21.21 51.24 7.44 4.24 Sandy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 0-70 - 12.57 18.23 32.03 31.23 3.22 2.72 Fine sand

70-150 - 7.53 10.23 30.23 41.02 6.68 4.31 Coarse sand

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8 0-60 - 10.32 11.24 30.23 38.39 7.47 2.35 Sandy

60-150 - 9.24 10.25 34.23 40.21 2.74 3.33 Sandy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9 0-50 - 17.22 6.22 34.32 29.51 10.28 2.45 Sandy

50-93 - 9.25 10.25 37.22 30.21 9.35 3.72 Sandy

93-125 - 6.32 3.25 27.21 50.21 9.19 3.84 Sandy

125-150 - 9.28 11.23 32.11 34.22 8.61 4.55 Fine sand

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 0-20 - 16.11 7.35 28.32 32.12 12.89 3.21 Sandy

20-50 - 10.15 11.23 29.22 34.55 11.31 3.45 Sandy

50-120 - 11.55 12.34 30.22 36.12 5.56 4.21 Sandy

120-150 - 10.13 8.21 33.34 37.22 7.32 3.78 Sandy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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Table 1: Continued

El-Esraa and El-Mearage farm

11 0-30 - 11.13 17.25 30.25 34.21 4.84 2.32 andy30-60 - 12.13 10.4 37.25 32.31 4.8 3.11 Sandy60-90 - 5.32 4.91 28.23 52.33 5.68 3.53 Fine sand90-150 - 7.83 10.11 35.33 33.24 9.28 4.12 Sandy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12 0-35 6 11.35 20.22 26.45 33.2 5.55 3.23 Coarse sand

35-65 8 8.75 10.22 30.23 40.11 6.88 3.81 Sandy65-90 14 3.52 7.23 28.22 50.42 6.4 4.21 [Fine sand90-140 - 9.27 10.11 33.21 30.22 13.34 3.85 Sandy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13 0-40 9 10.23 11.33 37.22 30.33 8.66 2.23 Sandy

40-80 15 9.23 10.45 38.33 31.23 7.64 3.12 Sandy80-150 10 8.75 11.33 40.11 28.32 7.38 4.11 Sandy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14 0-40 5 12.14 18.45 32.23 30.31 4.7 5.17 Sandy

40-65 3 10.32 11.21 35.23 28.31 11.8 3.13 Sandy65-150 3 9.24 10.34 36.24 33.21 6.81 4.15 Sandy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15 0-30 7 10.13 13.11 34.22 31.31 8 3.23 Sandy

30-50 2 9.58 10.21 37.22 34.23 4.64 4.12 Sandy50-70 2 5.35 6.21 26.23 53.2 5.46 3.55 Fine sand70-150 24 7.52 5.62 40.24 30.21 12.18 4.23 Sandy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16 0-30 - 9.53 10.11 34.33 37.22 6.46 2.35 Sandy

30-50 2 5.63 9.52 26.23 50.21 4.56 3.85 [Fine sand50-110 - 9.53 12.11 34.55 30.22 10.19 3.4 Sandy110-150 - 8.25 9.32 35.32 33.14 9.55 4.42 Sandy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17 0-30 - 13.22 14.23 34.32 32.33 3.58 2.32 Sandy

30-70 - 9.32 10.34 35.22 37.33 4.34 3.45 Coarse sand70-110 - 4.56 9.23 24.11 54.32 3.98 3.8 Fine sand110-150 - 5.72 10.22 33.22 34.54 12.07 4.23 Sandy

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18 0-25 10 10.22 9.32 34.35 30.21 12.55 3.35 Sandy

25-60 15 9.72 10.55 36.23 31.23 8.47 3.8 Sandy

Where: V=very; C= coarse; F= fine; M= medium; S=sand

Table 2: Soil moisture constants of the studied soil profiles

Profile No. Depth (m) SP% Texture FC% WP % AW% HC cm/hr

El-Emam Malek farm

1 0-20 20 Sandy 14.2 6.2 8.0 18.220-60 19 Sandy 14.5 5.4 9.1 17.160-150 20 Sandy 13.1 4.6 8.5 19.5

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2 0-40 19 Coarse nd 12.8 4.2 8.6 20.5

40-150 20 Coarse sand 13.4 4.5 8.9 20.1-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 0-150 21 Coarse sand 14.3 4.4 9.9 18.4-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4 0-30 28 Coarse sand 14.3 4.4 9.9* 18.4

30-50 25 Fine sand 12.5 4.1 8.4 21.350-70 26 Sandy 12.1 4.3 7.8 20.770-150 28 Sandy 13.2 5.1 8.1 19.3

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5 0-50 21 Sandy 15.4 7.2 8.2 17.1

50-70 23 Sandy 14.8 5.6 9.1 18.670-150 20 Sandy 15.2 6.7 8.5 16.7

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 0-60 16 Sandy 12.6 5.1 7.5 22.4

60-150 21 Sandy 9.5 3.4 6.1 24.7-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7 0-70 19 Fine sand 11.2 4.3 6.9 22.3

70-150 20 Coarse sand 10.2 4.1 6.1 23.4-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8 0-60 17 Sandy 9.8 3.7 6.1 25.1

60-150 18 Sandy 13.2 5.2 8.0 21.6------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9 0-50 21 Sandy 10.1 4.7 5.4 22.5

50-93 19 Sandy 13.5 5.6 7.9 1993-125 22 Sandy 12.5 4.6 7.9 21.5125-150 24 Fine sand 12.2 4.4 7.8 22.3

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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Table 2: Continued10 0-20 24 Sandy 10.6 3.8 6.8 24.1

20-50 22 Sandy 14.3 4.6 9.7 19.550-120 22 Sandy 15.2 5.8 9.4 17.4120-150 22 Sandy 13.7 4.3 9.4 19.3


11 0-30 15 sandy 4.2 4.2 10 1830-60 17 Sandy 3.9 3.9 9.3 20.160-90 16 Fine sand 3.5 3.5 9.3 21.590-150 25 Sandy 3.3 3.3 9.3 20.7

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12 0-35 19 Coarse sand 5.7 5.7 9.5 15.2

35-65 20 Sandy 5.6 5.6 10 14.365-90 22 [Fine sand 4.2 4.2 8.1 22.490-140 25 Sandy 4.1 4.1 8.6 23.1

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13 0-40 22 Sandy 3.5 3.5 9.1 22.8

40-80 20 Sandy 3.8 3.8 9.6 20.480-150 25 Sandy 5.2 5.2 10 14.9

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14 0-40 20 Sandy 4.2 4.2 8.3 21.5

40-65 22 Sandy 4.4 4.4 8.4 20.865-150 25 Sandy 5.8 5.8 10.3 18.4

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15 0-30 21 Sandy 4.7 4.7 9.80 16.7

30-50 25 Sandy 5.3 5.3 10 15.250-70 23 Fine sand 5.7 5.7 9.9 14.770-150 28 Sandy 4.8 4.8 10.4 15.5

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16 0-30 16 Sandy 4.2 4.2 7.7 19.6

30-50 18 [Fine sand 4.6 4.6 7.9 21.450-110 18 Sandy 4.5 4.5 7.9 22.1110-150 22 Sandy 4.8 4.8 8.4 20.8

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17 0-30 20 Sandy 5.6 5.6 9.6 15.2

30-70 15 Coarse sand 4.2 4.2 9.0 18.970-110 20 Fine sand 4.1 4.1 9.3 19.1110-150 23 Sandy 3.7 3.7 9.1 21.5

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18 0-25 22 Sandy 3.5 3.5 6.7 22.4

25-60 16 Sandy 4.2 4.2 8.4 20.4Where: SP= saturation percent, FC= field capacity, WP= wilting point, AW= available water, HC= hydraulic conductivity.

Map 4: Soil salinity distribution of El-Emam Malek farm


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Map 5: Soil salinity distribution of El Esraa and El- Merage farm

Table 3: Some chemical properties of the studied soil profiles

Profile Depth O.M. pH EC Ca Gypsum Exch. Cations meq/100g) CEC (meq/ SAR ESP

%No. (cm) % 1:2.5 (dS/m) CO K+ Na+ Mg++ Ca+ 100g soil)3

El-Emam Malek farm

1 0-20 0.61 8.55 0.19 4.68 - 0.5 1.5 2.5 3.5 8.0 1.6 16.25

20-60 0.44 8.36 0.19 5.85 - 0.6 1.3 2.2 3.1 7.2 1.7 15.41

60-150 - 8.6 0.28 4.69 0.12 0.5 1.7 2.6 3.9 8.7 1.7 16.32

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 0-40 0.53 8.7 0.82 5.85 0.62 0.3 2.5 3.3 4.4 10.5 6.5 23.81

40-150 0.32 8.62 0.26 3.51 0.12 0.5 1.6 2.5 4 8.6 1.3 16.05

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 0-150 0.14 8.42 0.25 4.68 0.08 0.6 1.7 2.7 3.6 8.6 1.6 11.18

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 0-30 0.92 8.43 0.22 5.85 - 0.6 1.5 2 3 7.1 1.5 17.18

30-50 0.46 8.44 0.35 1.17 0.07 0.4 2 2.8 4.2 9.4 1.7 17.02

50-70 0.11 8.62 0.34 2.34 0.09 0.5 2.1 2.6 4 9.2 1.8 18.26

70-150 0.1 8.68 0.25 4.68 0.03 0.3 1.5 2 3.5 7.3 1.6 15.89

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 0-50 0.83 8.75 0.27 10.53 0.07 0.4 1.5 2.1 3.8 7.8 1.4 16.03

50-70 0.22 8.75 0.42 4.68 0.09 0.7 2.2 2.9 4.3 10.1 1.9 17.43

70-150 - 8.75 0.21 10.53 0.05 0.5 1.5 1.8 2.9 6.7 1.8 18.81

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6 0-60 0.3 8.53 0.17 12.87 - 0.4 1 1.1 2 4.5 1.5 19.02

60-150 0.1 9.3 0.38 13.34 0.12 0.6 1.9 3 4 8.5 1.6 18.35

7 0-70 0.62 8.48 0.2 12.87 - 0.4 1.2 1.6 3 5.2 1.5 19.42

70-150 - 8.62 0.15 10.53 - 0.3 1 1.1 2 4.4 1.4 19.1

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8 0-60 0.77 8.58 0.26 9.36 0.03 0.4 1.5 1.9 3 6.8 1.3 19.26

60-150 0.25 8.41 0.24 4.68 0.02 0.4 1.2 1.3 2.5 5.4 1.4 18.52

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9 0-50 0.65 8.7 0.2 7.02 - 0.3 1.1 1 1.8 4.2 1.5 21.19

50-93 0.25 9.77 0.28 2.34 0.06 0.5 1.4 2 3.2 6.1 1.4 19.18

93-125 0.1 9.32 0.44 4.68 0.1 0.8 2.6 3.1 4.4 10.9 2.2 19.45

125-150 - 9.11 0.37 3.51 0.08 0.5 1.7 2.2 3.9 8.3 1.5 16.14

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


492

Table 3: Continued

10 0-20 0.87 8.5 0.43 4.68 0.08 0.7 2.2 2.5 4 9.4 2.0 18.3

20-50 0.27 8.65 0.28 3.51 0.02 0.6 1.4 2.1 3 7.1 1.4 16.06

50-110 0.09 8.62 0.16 4.68 - 0.5 0.9 0.9 1.9 4.2 1.3 17.14

110-135 - 8.79 0.16 3.51 - 0.6 0.8 0.9 2 4.3 1.1 15.12


11 0-30 0.67 8.28 0.28 3.51 0.03 3.8 2.2 1.4 0.6 8 1.4 15.25

30-60 0.3 8.35 0.25 53.04 0.01 3.2 2 1.5 0.5 7.2 1.6 18.06

60-90 0.2 8.48 0.36 5.85 0.03 4.3 2.9 1.5 0.8 9.5 1.0 13.89

90-150 0.1 8.42 0.42 7.02 0.05 5 3.1 1.6 0.9 10.6 1.0 12.26

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12 0-35 0.3 8.22 0.5 5.85 0.1 5.1 3.3 1.8 1 11.2 1.2 23.81

35-65 0.2 7.92 1.57 10.53 0.19 5 3.2 2.8 1.5 12.5 3.9 10.72

65-90 0.1 8.48 0.35 7.02 0.06 4 2.7 1.5 0.8 9 1.0 14

90-140 - 8.98 0.49 6.08 0.07 4.3 3.1 2.5 1 10.9 1.8 18.34

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

13 0-40 0.4 8.2 1.05 7.02 0.09 5.3 4 3.5 1.1 13.9 2.5 18.53

40-80 0.2 8.11 1.29 5.85 0.3 5.5 3.3 2.7 1 12.5 2.9 13.28

80-150 - 8.6 0.24 4.68 - 3 2.1 1.5 0.7 7.3 1.5 16.71

14 0-40 0.67 8.59 0.22 4.21 - 2.8 1.9 1.4 0.6 6.7 1.6 17.61

15.52

40-65 0.4 8.57 0.24 9.36 0.01 2.9 2 1.3 0.5 6.7 1.6 16.15

65-150 0.1 8.3 0.22 7.02 - 2.7 1.9 1.3 0.6 6.5 1.5 15.0

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

15 0-30 0.43 8.45 0.25 5.85 0.02 3.0 2.0 1.5 0.7 7.2 1.6 17.36

20-50 0.2 8.4 0.21 9.36 0.6 2.9 1.9 1.4 0.5 5.7 1.6 19.65

50-70 0.11 8.45 0.24 9.83 0.7 3.3 2.5 1.5 0.7 8 1.2 15.88

70-150 - 8.38 0.47 8.19 0.04 4.9 3.3 2.8 0.9 11.5 2.3 17.74

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16 0-30 0.32 8.36 0.22 5.85 - 2.8 1.7 1.3 0.7 6.5 1.5 17.23

30-50 0.22 8.44 0.18 7.02 - 2.3 1.5 1.2 0.5 5.5 1.7 18.55

50-110 0.12 8.49 0.2 4.68 - 2.5 1.6 1.3 0.6 6 1.5 18.67

110-150 - 8.39 0.27 8.19 0.02 3.1 2.3 1.5 0.7 7.6 1.1 16.84

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

17 0-30 0.43 8.35 0.18 5.85 - 2 1.3 1.2 0.5 5 1.7 20.0

30-70 0.11 8.41 0.2 4.68 - 2.2 1.4 1.2 0.3 5.1 1.7 20.0

70-110 0.09 8.42 0.2 4.21 - 2.2 1.4 1.3 0.4 5.3 1.5 20.2

110-150 0.05 8.12 1.64 12.87 0.08 5.1 3.4 2.7 1.2 12.4 4.0 20.75

25-60 0.08 8.46 0.2 6.32 0.01 2.4 1.7 1.2 0.5 5.8 1.3 7.50

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

18 0-25 0.21 8.27 0.29 5.85 0.03 0.9 1.5 2.8 3.5 8.7 1.3 14.25

25-60 0.08 8.46 0.2 6.23 0.01 0.5 1.2 1.7 2.4 5.8 1.3 18.28

is non-saline and EC values ranged between 0.15

– 1.64 dS/m in the studied soil profiles, Maps (4

and 5). pH value is slightly alkaline to alkaline

and ranged between 7.92 to 9.32 and there is no

specific trend with depth in the studied soil profiles.

Organic matter content (OM %) was very low as

that soil is newly cultivated and organic matter

ranged from 0.08 to 0.92%. The Calcium carbonate

content have wide variation and ranged between1.17

to 13.34 and 3.04 to 12.87 % at El-Emam Malek and

El-Esraa and El-Mearage farms, respectively, Maps

(6, 7). Gypsum content is very low in most studied

profiles and ranged between 0.1-0.7%. Cation exchange

capacity (CEC) is low and ranged between 4.2-10.9

meq/100g soil and 5.0-13.9 meq/100g soil at El-

Emam Malek and El-Esraa and El-Mearage farms,

respectively, Maps (8 and 9), this is due to the

coarse texture and low content of clay and organic

matter. Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) value

ranged between 7.5- 23.81, in most soil profiles, Maps

(10 and 11).

Soil Classification: The climatic conditions prevailing

in the studied area, the morphological characteristics of

the studied soil profiles, the physical and chemical

properties of the soils, therefore the studied soil

profiles were classified to Entisols as Typic

Torripsamments .[22]

Land Capability Evaluation: Land capability

evaluation of the studied area was performed .[23]

The outputs from the land evaluation software linked


493

Map 6: Calcium carbonate distribution of El-Emam Malek farm

Map 7: Calcium carbonate distribution of El Esraa and El- Merage farm


494

Map 8: Cation exchange capacity distribution of El-Emam Malek farm

Map 9: Cation exchange capacity distribution of El Esraa and El- Merage farm


495

Map 10: Exchangeable sodium percent distribution of El-Emam Malek farm

Map 11: Exchangeable sodium percent distribution of El Esraa farm


496

The main limiting factors for capability classes

of El-Emam Malek and El-Esraa are gravel percentage

(G %), available moisture percent (AM%)exchangeablesodium percent (ESP) and cation exchange capacity

(CEC), Map (12), while the limiting factors for

capability classes of El Esraa farm are available

moisture percent (AM%) exchangeable sodium percent

(ESP) and cation exchange capacity (CEC), Map (13)but these soils may need different management to

recover the productive capability.

Map 12: Limiting factors for land capability class of El-Emam Malek farm

Map 13: Limiting factors for land capability class of El Esraa and El- Merage farm


497

to the GIS software (Arc Map 9.0) across a databasefile and different queries were carried out to get thefinal outputted maps. Data reveal that the capability

classes of soil for most studied profiles belonging toclass (C4) Table (4).

Table 4: Capability class of the studied soil profiles

Soil factorsProfile no. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capability class Limiting factors

A B C D E F G H

El Emam Malek Farm

1 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 3 C4 B, H

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2 3 4 1 1 1 1 1 3 C 4 A, B, H

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 3 4 1 1 2 1 1 3 C 4 A, B, H

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4 3 4 1 1 4 1 1 3 C 4 A, B, E, H

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5 3 4 1 1 3 1 1 3 C 4 A, B, E, H

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 3 4 1 1 3 1 1 3 C4 A, B, E, H-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 3 C4 B,H-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 3 C4 B,H-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 3 C4 B,H-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 3 4 1 1 1 1 1 3 C4 A, B, H


11 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 3 C4 B,H

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12 3 4 1 1 2 1 1 3 C4 A, B, H

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13 2 3 1 1 2 1 1 3 C3 B,H

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14 2 4 1 1 2 1 1 3 C4 B,H-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

15 2 4 1 1 2 1 1 3 C4 B,H-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 3 C4 B,H-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

17 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 3 C4 B,H-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

18 4 4 2 3 2 1 1 3 C4 A, B, H

Where: A= Available moisture content (%), B= Cation exchange capacity (meq/100g soil, C= Drainage condition (class), D= Soil depth (cm),E= Gravel %, F= Slope, G= Salinity (EC in dS/m) and H= Exchangeable so d ium p ercent (ESP).Capability class: C1= Excellent for cultivation,

C2= Moderate, C3 = Good, C4 = Poor for cultivation.

Land Suitability Evaluation: Different land suitabilityclasses and indices 12 crops were predicted based onthe matching between land qualities and characteristicsand crop standard requirements using Almagra programthrough MicroLIES evaluation software . Evaluated[23]

crops are wheat, corn, watermelon, potato, soybean,cotton, sunflower, sugar beet, alfalfa, peach, citrus andolive. Data shown in Table (5), indicated that thestudied soil profiles of El-Emam Malek farm aremoderately suitable (S3) for growing crops, while thesoils represented by profiles 5 and 6 are placed at non-

suitable (S5) for growing crops. Soils of El-Esraa andEl-Mearage farm are placed at high suitable (S2) andmoderate suitable (S3) for growing all crops.

The main limiting factors for agriculturalproduction are soil texture and exchangeable sodiumpercentage (ESP) in the most profiles, except soilsrepresented by profile 18; the limiting factors areexchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and soildepth. The obtained results help the decision makersin defining the optimum agricultural land use in thearea.

Table 5: Land suitability of the studied soil profiles in NRC Farm

crops

Profile no. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Limiting factorsWheat Corn Water Potato Soya Cotton Sun Sugar Alfalfa Peach Citrus Olive

melon bean flower beet

El Emam Malek farm

1 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 a, t

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


498

Table 5: Continued

2 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 a, t

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 a, t, d

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 a, t, d

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 t, d, a

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 t, a

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 a

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 a

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 a

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 a

El-Esraa farm

11 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 t, a

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 t, a

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

13 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 a

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

14 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 t, a

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

15 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 a, t

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 a, t

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

17 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 a, t

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

18 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 ds, a

Where: suitability class: S1 = optimum suitability, S2= High suitable, S3= Moderate suitable, S 4 = Marginal suitability, S5 = no suitability.

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