Assessment of Land Suitability Index for the Wheat Crop Production by Using Sys’s Method and ALES Program

Abstract

Land suitability index for the wheat cultivation is carried out in east of the Nile delta of Egypt. The present area occupies the southern part of Ismailia canal and is bounded by latitudes 30° 35' 10–31° 05' 00 N and longitudes 31° 15' 0–32° 22' 08 E. Seventeen soil profiles were dug and classified as Typic Torrifluvents, Vertic Torrifluvents, Lithic Torriorthents, Typic Torripssaments and Typic Haplosalids. The criteria of land suitability for wheat production were adopted from guidelines of FAO (1976) and were carried out using two methods (Sys’s method and ALES program). Most of the soils under study were suitable for wheat crop production by using both two approaches. The Sys’s method has three classes, highly suitable (S1): 30.75%, moderately suitable (S2): 60.55% and marginally suitable (S3): 8.15%. While the results obtained by using the ALES program also has three classes, highly suitable (S1): 25.50%, suitable (S2): 65.80% and permanently not suitable (NS): 8.15%. Marginally or not suitable areas occurred in lakebeds mapping unit and agree with the adverse soil physical and chemical qualities (very poor drainage, heavy soil texture, high EC, high ESP and high pH). The compare of the results of the two methods indicated that, high level of agreement between the Sys’s method and the ALES program, whereas all mapping units have the same classes except for two mapping units. At the local level, this study may be utilized by farmers and decision-makers for maintaining food security and for achieving sustainable agricultural development.