Soil Maps Based on GIS and ALES-arid Model as Tools for Assessing Land Capability and Suitability in El-Sadat Region of Egypt

HE SOIL in the El-Sadat region is considered one of the most promising places for land reclamation projects due to its location and the availability of the Nile River and groundwater resources for crop irrigation. This study aimed to create land capacity and suitability maps for certain crops (wheat, sugar beet, maize, peanut, potato, watermelon, olive, citrus and apple) by using ALES-arid program and GIS in the El-Sadat area of Egypt. For this purpose, 14 soil profile were excavated and collected of soil samples. Topographical and geological maps, land cover maps, demarcations, remote sensing images and climatic data were obtained and the main physical and chemical properties of the collected soil samples were analyzed. The gained information were developed through the ALES-arid software to obtain the land capability and suitability maps. Most of these soils were classified as Typic Torripsmments and only profile No. 5 was Typic Torriorthents, with loamy sand dominant texture. There are three geomorphic units (Plain, Elevated area and High Land) prevailing in the study area. According to ALES-arid program, the capability of lands in the studied area was divided into three classes of good (C2), fair (C3) and poor (C4).The occupancy rate for each class of the study area was 5.61, 48.47 and 45.92 % for C2, C3 and C4, respectively. Soil texture, cation exchange capacity, and permeability were the limiting parameters for land capability. The whole results indicated that, about 40.56, 30.96, 21.57 and 6.91 % of the studied area were highly suitable (S1), suitable (S2), moderately suitable (S3) and marginally suitable (S4) for agriculture, respectively. The main of suitability limitations in the studied area were soil texture, permeability and fertility. These limitations are not permanent and can be improved by applying appropriate management practices.