الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract The current study aims at evaluating the soils of Itsa district, Fayoum Governorate, Egypt. The area extends from 29° 00ʹ 50ʺ to 29° 19ʹ 00ʺ N and 30° 30ʹ 30ʺ to 30° 56ʹ 15ʺ E covering an area of about 81969 ha. The geopedological approach of Zinck was utilized to generate the physiographic soil map of the study area. The satellite image of the study area was visually interpreted, then with the aid of digital elevation model and geological map, the soil map was generated. Field work was conducted to check and confirm the boundaries of soil map units. Thirteen soil profiles and ten auger hole observations were examined to represent each map unit. Two landscapes, Hilland and Depression, including eleven landforms were identified in the study area. Land suitability was carried out for twelve crops representing field crops, vegetables, orchards and aromatic plants. Land use requirements were matched with the land characteristics for each map unit producing the suitability class of corresponding unit. The results showed variation in land suitability for different crops, varies from high suitability (S1) to not suitable (N). In general, wheat, barley, clover, sorghum, and chamomile showed high suitability in different map units. The map unit “Hi211” has low suitability where the suitability classes are marginal suitable (S3) and not suitable (N). Limiting factors varies from correctable and non-correctable factors, thus applying the proper management can improve the suitability for some map units. Keywords: Land suitability; Geographic information systems; Itsa, Fayoum, Egypt. |