Abdel Ghaffar, M.K; Azzam, M.A. and Abu Selim, M.H. ( 2015). Evaluation of Land Resources for Agriculture Development in Wadi El Natroun Area, Western Desert- EgyptMinufiya J. Agric. Res.Vol.40 No. 6: 1607-1627
Abstract: The aim of the present work is to evaluate the land resources of Wadi EL-Natroun area, Western Desert, Egypt, for agriculture development. The study area is located in the northeast of the Western Desert between longitudes 30o 15/ and 30o 30/ E and latitudes 30o 15/ and 30o 30/ N with total area about 700 km2 (166666 feddan).
RS and GIS techniques were used for identifying and interpretation the geomorphologic units of the study area. The geomorphologic map of the area was produced using digital image processing of Landsat ETM+, TIN, DEM, geological map and field observation data. Accordingly, three main geomorphologic units with some sub units are recognized. These units are miscellaneous land types (including table land and foot slope units), Wadi El-Natroun depression (including wadi terraces, Wadi plain, overblown sand and salt lakes & sabkhas units) and old alluvial (alluvial plain unit).
Fifteen soil profiles (representing the geomorphologic units) were selected and allocated by the portable Global Positioning System (GPS). Representative 50 soil samples have been collected from the profiles according to the morphological variations. Eight groundwater samples were collected, from water wells of the study area.
The soils are morphologically described in the field. The physical and chemical properties of soil and water samples were determined.
The current suitability of the studied soils was estimated by matching between the present land characteristics and their ratings outlined by Sys and Verhey (1978) and Sys et al (1991).
Suitability indices and classification of the studied soils revealed that there are three suitability classes, i.e., moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3) and not suitable (N). The soil limiting factors in the study area are texture (s1), salinity and alkalinity (n), depth (s2) and topography (t) with slight to severe and very severe intensity.
Further land improvements are required to correct or reduce the severity of limitations exiting in the studied area, such as: a) leaching of soils salinity and reclamation of soil sodicity, b) continuous application of organic, manure to improve soil physico-chemical properties and fertility status, and c) application of modern irrigation system, i.e. drip and sprinkler. By applying the previous improvement practices, potential suitability of the studied soils could raised to highly suitable (S1) and moderately suitable (S2).
The groundwater suitability for agriculture is classified into three classes according to their salinity and sodium absorption ratio. The northern wells have moderately and marginally suitable. However, the non suitable class of some wells could be due to intrusion of saline water from the adjacent lakes.
Keywords: (Land Resources, Land Evaluation, Wadi El-Natroun, RS, GIS, Geomorphologic units)
