Research Article

Actual and Potential Land Productivity of Some Soils of Sohag-Red Sea Road Sides, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Ali R.A. Moursy^1*, Abdelgalil A.¹, Ibrahim M.S.¹, Abdelhady A.A.², and Mustafa A.A.¹ 

¹Division of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Sohag University, Egypt, 82524. 

²Division of Soil science, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt, 12613.

^*Corresponding author e-mail: ali_soils_2010@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Egyptian Government focuses on development projects especially in new lands such as Sohag-Red Sea road to improve tourism and agricultural activities. This study aims to assess the actual and potential land productivity. Seventeen soil profiles were chosen depending on the six mapping units of the study area. Soil profiles were drilled and soil samples were collected from each horizon. Nine land characteristics were measured/estimated viz. soil moisture content (H), drainage (D), depth (P), texture (T), soluble salts content (S), average nutrient content (N), organic matter content (O), cationic exchange capacity (A) and reserves weatherable minerals (M). Soil samples were analyzed for their mentioned parameters using the standard methods of soil analysis. Accordingly, land productivity (PI) and potentiality (P⸌I) indices were calculated for all studied soil profiles. The results revealed that actual land productivity of the studied area is extremely poor and can be enhanced 17 times by improving soil moisture content, texture, and organic matter content as the most important controlling-factors. Actual and potential land productivity maps were generated using Arc GIS 10.1 software. These results may help decision-makers for new lands reclamation planning and better agricultural production.

Keywords: Land productivity, soil mapping, Sohag-Red Sea Road.