Land capability of the middle part of wadi Qena, eastern desert, Egypt and its suitability for growing crops [electronic resource]

Includes bibliographic reference

Wadi Qena is one of the largest dry valleys in the eastern desert of Egypt
for the agricultural expansion. This study attempted to investigate the best agricultural
land use of the middle part of this Wadi through its capability and suitability
assessment based on its soil characteristics. So, forty-nine soil profiles
were selected and digged to represent the soils of this area in February, 2017.
One hundred and thirty six soil samples were collected from these profiles, to
perform the physical and chemical analyses.
Sand, loamy sand and sandy loam textures were in this area. High variabilities
were recorded in the soil salinity (ECe), soil alkalinity (ESP), total calcium
carbonate content, soil pH, available N, P and K, soil depth which they varied
from 0.83 to 187.6 dSm-1, from 7.41 to 17.8%, from 7.31 to 51.19%, from 7.70 to
8.81, from 2.3 to 88.8 mg kg-1, from 1.82 to 11.06 mg kg-1 and from 40 to 920
mg kg-1 and from 50 to >150 cm, respectively. Also, the hydraulic conductivity
(HC), the field capacity (FC), the wilting point (WP) and available water capacity
(A.W.C) values vary from 2.92 to 38.00 cm/h with an average of 23.32 cm/h,
10.50 to 26.54 v/v % with an average value of 17.03 v/v %, 4.36 to 12.61 v/v %
with an average of 7.63 v/v %, and from 4.96 to 18.13 v/v % with an average of
9.40 v/v %, respectively.
The studied soils were fair, poor and non-agricultural capable for agricultural
uses. The dominant limiting factors for agricultural use were the coarse soil
texture, high salinity and alkalinity, low organic matter content and CEC, as well
as the high CaCO3 content.
Results of Agricultural Land Suitability Evaluation (ASLE) software analysis
showed that the soils of the study area ranged from S2 (suitable) to NS1 (currently
not suitable) for growing wheat, barley, sugar beet, sunflower, pepper, watermelon,
date palm, olive, fig and grape. They also varied from NS1 (currently
not suitable) to NS2 (permanently not suitable) for growing rice, cotton, sugarcane,
onion and cabbage.
The prevailing limiting factors affecting the suitability of these soils for
growing different crops were those of the capability as well as the low nutrient
availability. Also, an urgent need is required for specific land improvements of
the study area such as controlled fertilizing system, special methods for irrigation
and removing gravels. It is recommended to use the organic agriculture system in
such region for achieving high economic feasibility.
This study presents a valuable source for governmental agencies concerned
about land reclamation projects along with sustainable agricultural development
in such desert areas.
Keywords: Land suitability, Land evaluation, ASLE, Arc GIS, sustainable agriculture,
Land capability, Wadi Qena.

Summary in Arabic