Development of Soil Suitability Ratings Index for Crops in the North – East of Libya Using Geographic Information System

Abstract

Agriculture production faces a great challenge for the coming decades which is the food security for the ever-increasing world’s populations. The key role in sustainable agriculture production can be played by sustainable soil uses and management. Land evaluation for specific purpose is an important tool for land use planning. A number of land evaluation techniques have been developed to assess land for different uses. The parametric approach is one that combines various soil and site properties (parameters) that are believed to influence yield using mathematical formula. The Storie Index Rating was an early attempt at quantitative land evaluation and an example of parametric approach. The system has been widely applied around the world, for example, It has been used in California, mainly for irrigated soils (Kudrat and Saha, 1993). In addition, it was adapted in Libya. The Libyan modified index rating takes into account local conditions to determine the properties included. Local experiences were used to classify the soil suitability (Mahmoud, 1995). The rating was taking into account eleven soil properties to produce an overall rating. This paper modified the productivity rating and produce computerized model which uses spreadsheet model for suitability analysis and integrates the results in geographic information system (GIS) environment. The results show that Barley is the most suitable crop with 42 % of the area is very high suitable and about 18 % is not suitable for barley. Whereas maize is about 29 % is high suitable in that soils of the study area, and less than 25 % is not suitable. GIS allow modelling, running a range of soil use scenarios and data manipulate so that the optimal soil use can be identified to achieve sustainable development. In addition, it allows the comparison between different crops to select the most appropriate to local conditions and development goals. This paper is part of series research papers which uses concepts developed and applied in different area of Libya.