Evaluation of soil fertility status at West Delta area using GIS technique [electronic resource].

Includes reference.

The recent approach in precision agriculture researches has focused on use of management zones as a method for variable application of inputs like fertilizers. Since productivity is influenced by soil characteristics, the spatial patterns of productivity could be caused by a corresponding variation in certain soil properties. Determine the source of variation in productivity can help achieve more effective site-specific management. This study was designed to optimize the use of fertilizers especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers based on local specific conditions of the soil of west delta area especially at Nubaria. Soil properties spatial data were presented as individual maps by GIS (EC, pH, eaC03, available N, available P, available K, active Na, texture). A barley pot experiment has been conducted to identify the relation between soil properties and plant yield then quantify layers weighing codes in GIS. The correlation data between barley and soil properties show that the most effective properties were texture, salinity, calcium carbonate, and pH. A decision map (management zones map) were created based on weighed overlay in GIS between the texture, salinity, calcium carbonate, and pH and its codes were 41.5, 21.83, 21.16, and 15.51 %, respectively. Distinguish 4 management zones in the study area are created, each zones has its potentiality on the yield then should have a specific management conditions. The average wheat yield in the fields took the same direction of the zones regularly and confirmed the management zones delineation technique. The concentration of plant nitrogen took the same direction ranges regularly of the zones and that is indicating that nitrogen the most nutrient limited plant yield in the study area. There are a little variation between zones in plant phosphorus- and potassium, but in general, all nutrients far from the optimal concentrations. eND model (compositional nutrient diagnosis) has been used to inventory the nutrient balance in plant. Nitrogen was found negatively and its arrangement upward with the zones. Phosphorus was found positively, and potassium negatively, but in general there are a little variations in the concentration of phosphorus and potassium between the zones unlike nitrogen.

Summary in Arabic.

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