Pedological studies and land capability on the soils adjacent Qarun Lake, El-Fayoum Depression, Egypt, Part (I) [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The soils adjacent Qarun Lake is about 13632 feddan representing 3.3% of the total area of EI Fayoum Depression. These soils include three geomorphic units, which are Nile alluvial deposits. Desertic formation and interference zone between lacustrine and desertic deposits. This study aims to classify the soils according to the relation between salinity and water table and land capability assessment of some parts south Qarun Lake. These soils have been developed under arid conditions with different parent materials. Drainage played an important role in the soil formation through the effect on the salinization of the soil. The soils have been classified using the American Soil Taxonomy (2003) to the sub group level as, Typic Haplocalcids, Typic Haplosalids, Typic Haplotorrerts, and Typic Torrifluvents. Arc _ G!S 9.0 software was used in this study for soil units and land capability mapping. The correlation between soil salinity and ground water depth were carried out, consequently the soils were classified to nine units the given data reveals that the most of the studied soils are threaten by water logging and soil salinity. The obtained data reveal that the ground water depth ranges between 25 and !O5 cm and the soil EC is 1.4 to 17.00 dS/m. According to land capability results the studied area has been classified to two main groups as: Class Ill: These soils arc high CaC03 content, high alkaline and poor drainage system. Class IV: These soils are highly saline, alkaline and poor drainage system; these soils give very low yield.

Summary in Arabic.

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