Optimizing Agricultural Land Evaluation of Some Areas in the New Delta Region, Al Dabaa Corridor, Egypt.

THE CONTINUOUSLY rising demand for food production has emphasized the importance of efficient land evaluation systems in agriculture. This research study aimed to estimate crop suitability and land capability of some new reclamation areas along El-Dabaa axis in the northwestern desert of Egypt, which will participate in the planning of prospective projects aimed at reclaiming desert land in the area. In order to represent different geomorphic units in the area under investigation, 115 soil profiles were dug. Subsequent laboratory analyses were conducted to determine the physicochemical parameters of the examined soils. Using ALESarid-GIS software, land capability evaluation was accomplished and land suitability was performed for 12 crops. The results revealed that the high capability class C3 (Fair) occupied 45.84% of the investigated area, while the moderate capability C4 (Poor) occupied approximately 34.2%. The results of the land suitability analysis illustrated that 16.7% and 8.98% of the studied area were categorized as S1 (highly suitable) for wheat and olive, respectively. It was detected that 63% of the examined area was S2 (moderately suitable) for wheat, more than 50% for olive, bear, and alfalfa, more than 26% for barley, sugar beet, tomato, and onion. Furthermore, the examined area was S3 (marginally suitable) for onion (53.44%), sugar beet (47.23%), soybean and barley (42%), tomato and sorghum (38%), maize, potato, pear, and alfalfa (more than 28%). However, it was observed that sand texture, shortage of available water, high soil permeability, and lack of available nutrients were the key limiting parameters for land capability and crop cultivation. Hence, soil suitability modelling for various crops and mapping of land capability can help decision-makers plan for potential agricultural development and outcome desert land reclamation projects in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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