Elnaggar, A., Mosa, A., Shebiny, G., El-Seedy, M., El-Bakry, F. (2016). Evaluation of Soil Fertility by Using GIS Techniques for Some Soils of Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering, 7(10), 713-720. doi: 10.21608/jssae.2016.40364
A. Elnaggar; A. Mosa; G. Shebiny; M. El-Seedy; Fatma El-Bakry. "Evaluation of Soil Fertility by Using GIS Techniques for Some Soils of Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt". Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering, 7, 10, 2016, 713-720. doi: 10.21608/jssae.2016.40364
Elnaggar, A., Mosa, A., Shebiny, G., El-Seedy, M., El-Bakry, F. (2016). 'Evaluation of Soil Fertility by Using GIS Techniques for Some Soils of Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt', Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering, 7(10), pp. 713-720. doi: 10.21608/jssae.2016.40364
Elnaggar, A., Mosa, A., Shebiny, G., El-Seedy, M., El-Bakry, F. Evaluation of Soil Fertility by Using GIS Techniques for Some Soils of Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering, 2016; 7(10): 713-720. doi: 10.21608/jssae.2016.40364
Evaluation of Soil Fertility by Using GIS Techniques for Some Soils of Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt
1Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura, University, Egypt
2Soil, Water and Environment Institute, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
Abstract
Evaluation of soil fertility of alluvial soils in the Nile-Delta of Egypt is very important, especially after long periods of intensive cropping and loss of Nile-sediments after building the High Dam in the 1960s. The main objective of this work was to evaluate soil fertility in some of Dakahlia Governorate soils by using GIS techniques. Accordingly, 17 georeferenced soil profiles were randomly distributed within the studied area. Soil samples were collected from each profile at 0-30, 30-60, and 60-90 cm soil depth interval. Collected soil samples were analyzed for their physical, chemical, and fertility properties. Water samples were also collected from both irrigation and drainage canals close to each soil profile. These water samples were analyzed for their chemical properties. Evaluation of land capability and suitability for some crops production was performed using the Agriculture Land Evaluation System for arid and semi-arid regions (ASLEarid). Soils in the studied area were classified into two classes (excellent and good) according to theirphysical index andone class (excellent) based on their chemical index. Accordingly, the soil index was ranged between excellent and good. Soils were fit into two classes according to their fertility index, which are poor and very poor. Water quality was excellent and the environmental conditions varied from good to fair. The final index indicated that soils in the studied are fit into two classes (fair and poor). Land suitability for the selected crops varied from moderately suitable to very suitable. The limitations for crop productivity in the studied area can be alleviated through using proper fertility and land management practices.