Yehia, H. A.; Y. K. El Ghonamey and A. S. A. El Shemy(( 2014). Application of geographic information system using ales–arid module for land evaluation assessment of Abis area, West Delta, Egypt Minufiya J. Agric. Res. Vol.39 No. 2(2): 831 - 851
Abstract: Abis area occupies about 40968.79 fed. It extends in two governorates namely Alexandria, that have about 51.6% of Abis area, and El-Behira that have 48.4% of the area. The reclamation of this area was started at the late of sixties. The aim of this investigation is to study the characteristics of Abis soils for evaluating their capability and suitability for growing main crops using RS, GIS and ALES – Arid model.
For this purpose, 41 profiles were chosen to represent the studied soils of the area. The profiles were morphologically described and samples were collected representing the vertical variations, for different laboratory analyses.
The results indicated that, the studied area have mainly 12 pedo units. The main pedo unit is moderately deep with moderately saline and calcareous properties and occupy about 22.08% of the area. The area have a slightly low elevation with -7 to -3m bsl, the most of its have -7 to -5m bsl. The application of ALES – Arid model indicated that the most of the area (about 55.56%) has a good capability evaluation. About 31.31% of this area belongs to EL-Behira gov. that classified as (C2aw, kh) with limitations of available irrigation water and hydraulic conductivity. The remaining (about 24.25%) belongs to Alexandria gov., that classified as (C2aw) with limitation of available irrigation water.
The results of suitability evaluation for growing main crops indicated that rice and maize (summer crops) are highly suitable for growing in the studied area. Moreover, wheat, faba bean and alfalfa are highly suitable for growing in the winter season.
Keywords: (Geostatistical analysis, Land evaluation, Remote sensing, GIS, Suitability, ALES-Arid)
