Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of African Postgraduate Studies - Department of Natural Resources

In the last sixty years, the population of the world has almost doubled a situation that leads to a very high demand for more food production. To overcome this challenge, there are two clear options, the interesification of agricultural production and exploration of new productive areas in order to increase agricultural production.The last option is not realistic because expansion of agricultural land is restricted and where possibilities for expansion exist, the impact of such extension on the environment should be taken into consideration. The objectives of this work are producing Physiographic map, soil map, land capability and suitability. The soils analysis clear that the texture classes are sandy, sandy loam, sandy clay loam, clay loam and clay.The PH values ranged between 7. 5 and 10, Electrical conductivity (Ecds/m) values ranged between 2.1 and 8.2. Calcium carbonate content (CaCo3%) ranged between 4.3 and 9.9. Organic matter content (OM %) ranged between 0.1 and 2.0. Gypsum Content (CaSo4%) ranged between 1.3%.Cation exchange capacity (CEC)/mg/100g Soil) ranged between 4 and 45.2% Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP %) ranged between 4.0 and 54.9%. Soluble cations as Na>Ca>mg>k while soluble anions are cl> So4 Hco3>Co3 mg/L. Based on morphological and soil analysis could be classified the soil (At 111) as typic haplotorrerts, chromic calcitorrerts(AT211)., typic calcitorreits, typic Haplocalcides, Typic torripsamments, (At311) Typic torriorthents., (QQT111) sodic Haplocalcides,(QQ232)- Typic Haplocalcides (QQT211)Typic Haplocalcides,(WMT111) Typic Haplocalcides (WLT111) Typic haplotorrerts Typic Torripsamments (WLT211) Typic Torripsamments. (DB) Sodic haplotorrerts

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