Land Suitability Evaluation Research Articles

Level of Land Adjustment Durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) in District Sigumpar District Toba

Utilization of land for other uses in Sigumpar District needs to be supported by information regarding land suitability. Therefore, an evaluation of the characteristics of the level of land suitability in the area was carried out, to analyze improvement efforts aimed at increasing productivity, as well as to create a map of actual land suitability and potential land suitability for durian plants in the district. The method used is the survey method. Land units are based on soil maps, slope maps, altitude maps, land cover maps, consisting of 6 land units and 18 points. The analysis method is the comparing (matching) method. The results of the research show that the level of land suitability for durian plants (Durio zibethinus Murr.) The actual land conditions suitable for durian cultivation in Sigumpar District are 1,856.22 ha. (2) Potential land conditions suitable for durian cultivation in Sigumpar District are 1,726.22 ha. Where limiting factors that cannot be remedied are temperature and soil texture, while limiting factors such as nutrient retention, nutrient availability, water availability and erosion hazards can be remedied in the form of: (1). Liming and fertilization adjusted to the results of soil tests on the land. Making drainage channels, planting parallel to contours, and making terraces. Keywords: land suitability evaluation, durian plant, utilizzation of other area, subdistrict of Sigumpar

Application of GIS in land unit mapping and evaluation of land suitability for agriculture in Uong Bi district – Quang Ninh province

This study aims to apply Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in land unit mapping and the evaluation of land suitability for agriculture in Uong Bi District, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. Given the complex and spontaneous changes in land usage driven by market fluctuations and environmental challenges, assessing land quality becomes crucial for sustainable agricultural development. Integrating soil, topographic, and climatic data within a GIS framework led to the creation of land unit maps for 40 different units in Uong Bi district, classified based on soil type, slope, soil depth, soil fertility, and hydrological conditions. The assessment of land suitability for seven main crops, including Litchi, Citrus, Dragon fruit, Cinnamon, Vegetables, Pine, and Macca, was conducted using the FAO framework for land evaluation. The results indicate that Pine and Cinamon have the highest arable area across all crops (with 15,895.40 ha and 15,502.40 ha respectively) while Vegetables show the lowest total arable area (4,063 ha). The findings provide valuable insights into the suitability of land for specific crops, facilitating informed decision-making to optimize land use and improve agricultural production.

Implementation of Agile Methods in GIS Web Applications for Land Suitability Selection

Perusahaan Daerah Perkebunan (PDP) Kahyangan is a Regional Owned Enterprise (BUMD) in Jember Regency which was formed in order to manage plantation commodities in 3 Main Plantations and two Subdivision Plantations. PDP’s profit contribution to Jember’s PAD (Pendapatan Asli Daerah) has continued to decline in recent years. With a target of PAD from plantation products in 2020 of 20 million rupiah, only 20% can be realized (4 million rupiah). Based on the 2023 PDP Kahyangan Jember Strategic Plan, one of the problems causing the opinion deficit is external factors. One of them is the suitability between the potential of the plants planted and the land conditions in a plantation area. Where land suitability, which is the carrying capacity of the land, has a significant effect on crop production. Based on the problems that have been presented, it is necessary to design a GIS-based Decision Support System (DSS), which can provide insight to researchers, practitioners and policy makers regarding the success of managing GIS data for the land suitability evaluation process so that it can increase agricultural productivity. Several stages that will be carried out include data collection, data preparation, and data processing carried out in GIS, then continued with implementation of Decision Support System. The used of agile methods to the application development process ensures that the application is built in a shorter time through the use of continuous iteration and testing thereby ensuring that the DSS implementation on the Web GIS application can run optimally.

Land suitability evaluation for elephant grass plant (Pannisetum purpureum) in Suka Maju Village, Malind District, Merauke Regency

Land suitability evaluation for elephant grass plant (Pannisetum purpureum) in Suka Maju Village, Malind District, Merauke Regency

Spatial modeling of land resources and constraints to guide urban development in Saudi Arabia’s NEOM region using geomatics techniques

This research presents a GIS-based approach to evaluate land suitability for the urbanization of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM region, an ambitious initiative for sustainable development within a desert setting. By employing a multi-criteria decision-making framework, we have synthesized data on land resources, stability, accessibility, construction costs, and proximity to conservation areas using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize these factors based on their importance for sustainable growth. Our analysis reveals that areas designated with grid values of 9 and 8, totaling 6312.33 square kilometers or 28.23% of the area studied, are most favorable for urban development. These sectors span the northern, central, and southern parts of NEOM, which are notable for their strategic location near future infrastructure and natural assets conducive to sustainable practices. This finding supports NEOM’s key initiatives such as “The Line,” “Oxagon,” and “TROJENA,” showcasing the model’s utility in directing urban development strategies. The study discusses the broader socio-economic and environmental ramifications of pinpointing areas suited and unsuited for development, underlining the model’s role in facilitating decision-making that aligns urban expansion with environmental stewardship. Furthermore, it advocates for leveraging development-restricted zones in conservation efforts and renewable energy ventures. Nevertheless, the study concedes certain limitations, such as the dependence on static datasets and inherent challenges related to the AHP method, including the presumption of criteria independence. Future research avenues are proposed, emphasizing the integration of dynamic data sources, comprehensive socio-cultural impact evaluations, and adopting flexible urban planning methodologies to refine the model’s precision and practicality. Overall, this detailed examination showcases NEOM’s blueprint as an exemplar for future urban environments, illustrating a systematic strategy for developing desert regions that integrate innovation, ecological sustainability, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Evaluation of Urban Land Suitability under Multiple Sea Level Rise Scenarios

Anticipated sea level rises from global climate change pose a significant flood risk to urban land. Evaluating urban land suitability under sea level rise scenarios is crucial for promoting sustainable development. Recent research has advanced the application of artificial intelligence and the integration of GIS with models, yet the impact of climate change on land suitability has often been overlooked. This study focuses on Xihu District in Hangzhou, utilizing the entropy weight and matter-element model to evaluate land suitability for urban development. The evaluation results were cross-verified with land use plans. A comprehensive analysis of potential flood risk to urban land in 2100 was conducted, considering varying degrees of sea level rise under Sustainable Development Scenario SSP1-2.6 and High-end Emission Scenario SSP5-8.5, as well as the scenario reflecting the most severe sea level rise during extreme climate events. The results indicate that more than half of the land in the study area is suitable for construction, aligning spatially with the current planned urban land. The analysis process of the matter-element model reflects the impact level of each indicator on urban land suitability, conveying information both spatially and numerically, thus enhancing accuracy. Scenario analysis reveals that approximately 10% to 20% of urban land in the study area could face flooding threats due to future sea level rises, primarily in the northern and southeastern regions. Recommendations for future land development and spatial planning strategies to address flood risk are discussed, aiming to alleviate the pressure on urban land in response to future climate change.

Research on Urban Land Suitability Evaluation Based on GIS—A Case Study of Xi'an City

The evaluation of urban land suitability plays a crucial role in urban planning and land management. Taking Xi'an City as a case study, this research, based on ArcGIS software, conducted an in-depth study and evaluation of urban land suitability by comprehensively considering factors such as terrain, land use status, and DEM elevation data. By collecting and analyzing a large amount of spatial data, a set of urban land suitability evaluation models was established. With the functionality of ArcGIS software, spatial analysis and data processing were carried out to generate spatial distribution maps of urban land suitability. The research results indicate that land suitability is influenced by various factors, including terrain features, land use status, and elevation. Therefore, when formulating urban planning and land use policies, it is essential to consider these factors comprehensively to promote sustainable urban development and rational resource utilization. In future urban development, it is necessary to combine the influencing factors of urban land to develop more scientifically sound urban planning, aiming to achieve optimized spatial layout of cities and efficient resource utilization.

Evaluation of Land Suitability of The Post-Mine Area for Settlement in The Kuranji Region of Padang City

The increase in population in Padang City is related to the many needs that must be met by the community such as housing or settlement needs. The availability of land that meets the criteria to be used as a settlement location guarantees a decent life for each community. This research aims to evaluate the land suitability of post-mining areas for settlements in the Kuranji area of Padang City. Data collection is done by analyzing the parameters used in determining the ideal settlement area, namely, slope level map, soil type map, erosion hazard, soil texture, flood hazard, and soil carrying capacity. The data that has been obtained is analyzed using the scoring or weighting method to determine the level of land suitability. Based on the calculations and analysis carried out on the evaluation of land suitability for settlements in the Gunung Sarik area, it can be concluded that the post-mining area in the Gunung Sarik area is suitable for settlements with a land suitability level value of 57 which with a land suitability level value of 58.7 - 37.4 is appropriate with details of 6 physical parameters that are met, namely, the level of slope 15.76%; Alluvial soil type, erosion hazard 348.83 tons/day/year, never flooded, fine soil texture (Clay), and has good soil bearing capacity (165 kg/cm 2 ).

Comparison of Land Suitability Methods for Estimating Quantity of Maize Yield in Calcareous Soils

ABSTRACT The modeling and assessment of land suitability is a prerequisite for land development and is one of the necessary needs to prevent land degradation. Maize is considered to be the most important crop, covering significant areas of agricultural lands in widely different regions across the world. However, not all available lands are equally suitable for maize cultivation. The main objective of this study was focused on identifying the potentials as well as the limitations of studied calcareous soils for maize cultivation in north Khuzestan province, Iran. Furthermore, some parametric models and multi-criteria land suitability evaluation methods for physical, chemical, fertility, and climatic factors (MC-LSE) were compared in estimating the maize yield. The required samples were taken from 23 land units by excavating control pedons. The necessary physicochemical parameters were then measured in the laboratory. The land indices were calculated by using different methods. The maize potential production of the investigated area was then obtained based on the climatic conditions. Finally, using land indices and the potential production, the estimated yield for each land unit was calculated and compared with the actual yield data. The obtained results indicated that the main limiting factors for maize yield in the region are high soil CaCO3 content, high salinity, high alkalinity and low organic matter. A comparison of predicted and actual yield indicated that the corrected square root method is accurate enough to assess land suitability and to estimate the maize yield with a high coefficient of determination (0.91) and a low RMSE value.

The potential for the cultivation of Styrax benzoin based on land suitability evaluation in Pakpak Bharat District, Indonesia

Abstract. Rahmawaty, Ginting Y, Batubara R, Rauf A. 2024. The potential for the cultivation of Styrax benzoin based on land suitability evaluation in Pakpak Bharat District, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 1071-1080. Styrax benzoin (kemenyan), a latex-producing plant native to North Sumatra Province, requires development and sustainable cultivation. Currently, it is increasingly common to cultivate S. benzoin in conjunction with other crops, including gambir (Uncaria gambir). This research focused on assessing the suitability of land in Pakpak Bharat Regency for cultivating S. benzoin on land previously used for U. gambir cultivation. In this research, a survey methodology was employed, involving purposive soil sample collection from areas previously used for U. gambir cultivation. These specific locations were Aornakan I Village in Pergetteng Getteng Sengkut Sub-district and Kuta Tinggi Village in Salak Sub-district, both within Pakpak Bharat Regency, North Sumatra Province. The suitability assessment of cultivating S. benzoin on land previously used for U. gambir cultivation employed the matching method. The results revealed that the actual land suitability for S. benzoin was classified as moderately suitable (S2). Land Unit 1 is constrained by factors such as water availability (wa), root media (rc), and erosion hazards (eh), while Land Units 2, 3, and 4 with limitations primarily related to water availability (wa) and root media (rc). The findings also suggest that the potential land suitability class for S. benzoin remains at S2 for growth in areas where U. gambir was cultivated, with notable restrictions related to water availability and root media across all land units.

Evaluation of land suitability for surface irrigation under changing climate in a tropical setting of Uganda, East Africa

CONTEXTAssessment of land suitability for irrigation under changing climate holds paramount significance given the pronounced reliance on rainfed agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVETo investigate land suitability for surface irrigation under changing climate in a tropical setting of Uganda, East Africa and explore implications for irrigation development as well as food security. METHODSThe study used a GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation using the Analytical Hierarchy Process that considered seven factors: soil texture, slope, land use/land cover, soil drainage, distance to river, distance to road network and rainfall deficit. Each factor was rasterized, reclassified and standardized to a similar measuring scale, resulting in a numeric range; higher values indicating areas that are more suitable and lower values indicating areas that are less suitable for irrigation. Weighted factors were added using the weighted overlay approach in the ArcGIS environment to create the final irrigation suitability map. Suitability was further assessed under two scenarios; an increase in average temperature of 1.5 °C and 10% increase in annual rainfall for the period from 2041 to 2060 (scenario I) and an increase in average temperature of 4.3 °C and 20% increase in annual rainfall for the period from 2061 to 2080 (scenario II). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSFindings reveal that of the entire area of Uganda, 43.7% is currently constrained, 32.4% is moderately suitable, 23.1% is marginally suitable, only 0.9% is highly suitable, and only 0.02% is not suitable for surface irrigation. Highly suitable land is mostly found in the Lake Victoria Crescent whereas land not suitable for surface irrigation is mostly found in the Karamoja zone. Suitability of land for surface irrigation generally decreased with changing climate. Land not suitable for surface irrigation increased to 0.11% and 0.34%, and marginally suitable land increased to 28.4% and 35.8% of the total area, under scenarios I and II respectively. Whereas moderately suitable land decreased to 27.5% and 20.1%, and highly suitable land decreased to 0.29% and 0.046% of the total area, under scenarios I and II respectively. In both scenarios, suitable land for surface irrigation is highest in the South East L. Kyoga Flood Plain and lowest in the Western Mid-Altitude Farmland. The investigation underscores the dynamic nature of irrigation suitability of land, subject to various influencing factors with climate dynamics being a major factor. SIGNIFICANCEThe findings emphasize the importance of adopting adaptive strategies and incorporating climate change considerations into irrigation decision-making processes for increased food production.

Development of a parametric-based Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for wheat land suitability evaluation

Wheat is considered one of the most essential crops for Egypt. Nevertheless, it is also one of its largest imports. Therefore, it is important to develop an accurate wheat suitability model to define the most suitable areas for its production. This study aimed to develop a parametric-based Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for land suitability evaluation of wheat in a selected area in El-Beheira governorate, Egypt. The climatic and land parameters influencing wheat production in the studied area were selected and rated according to the parametric method. These parameters included slope, texture, calcium carbonate, sum of basic cations, pH, organic matter, salinity, exchangeable sodium percentage and mean temp. of the growing cycle. The rated parameters were processed according to the AHP. The results were compared with Storie and the Square root methods and field observations. When validated using field observations, the developed method had a higher accuracy suitability evaluation for wheat cultivation in the studied area than the other two methods. According to the developed method, almost all of the studied areas could be classified as very suitable (S1) for wheat cultivation. On the other hand, the wheat suitability evaluation according to the other two methods indicated that most of the studied area could be classified as moderately suitable (S2) and marginally suitable (S3), which contradicted the field survey.

Assessment of Land Suitability for Coconut Cultivation in Southern Karnataka, India

The assessment of land suitability for a specific use is a vital part of land use planning and agricultural development. The basic feature of land suitability evaluation is the comparison of the requirement of land uses with resources offered by the land. A study was conducted to evaluate the land suitability for coconut cultivation in southern Karnataka with a prime focus on increasing the productivity of coconut by way of promoting its cultivation in areas which show high and moderate suitability, and restricting at marginally suitable areas. For this seven soil pedons were selected on the map of coconut-growing areas, delineated with the help of land resource map and report of Karnataka state, generated at 1: 2,50,000 scale by ICAR-NBSS & LUP, Bangalore and were located at Krishnarajapete, Arasikere, Beltangadi, Brahmavara, Hosadurga, Turuvekere and Gubbi representing the density of coconut-growing areas in different agro-climatic zones. Land suitability was evaluated following FAO [1] guidelines. Land suitability assessment of major coconut-growing areas of southern Karnataka indicated that Krishnarajapete and Arasikere have moderately suitable lands with moderate limitations while others have marginally suitable lands with severe limitations for coconut cultivation.

Food Availability Analysis based on Land Suitability Evaluation on Paddy Production in Banyumas Regency, Indonesia

Land suitability evaluation for specific uses can be prepared based on land conditions, in this case for paddy plants, which are the basic staple food of the community. This study aims to determine the land suitability for paddy, determine land balance which is based on the area of paddy fields and built-up land to determine the potential of existing land reserves, and to determine paddy productivity. The research was conducted in Banyumas Regency in three districts, Kedungbanteng, Patikraja, and Purwojati as sampling area. The methods used in this study are land suitability analysis with the land unit approach method and land suitability based on SPKL version 2.0 weighted factor method, land resource balance analysis by calculating the reserve of land resources to determine the amount of paddy reserves, and food security analysis with qualitative descriptive method. The results showed that the land suitability class for paddy in Kedungbanteng District was dominated by class N with the highest value of Ntc/eh/lp of 25,57%, Patikraja District by class S2 with the highest value of S2c of 20,13%, and Purwojati District by class Neh of 51,51%. The only district that still has land reserves that can be used is Purwojati District of 635 ha. Food security in Kedungbanteng District has the highest land productivity, followed by Patikraja District with stagnant land productivity, and Purwojati with low land productivity.

Reclamation, land suitability evaluation and management strategy for soils of Tin mined area of Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, Nigeria

The rate of increase in land area used by man is continuously increasing with population growth, with resultant environmental degradation caused by mining and other anthropogenic activities. However, reclamation as well as land suitability evaluation are considered the basis and critical steps for determining the reuse direction of degraded land caused by several years of mining activities. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate the land suitability for different crops production and suggest management practices for their reclamation. Parcel of land covering 224.29 ha on the northern part of Barkin Ladi in Plateau State, Nigeria was surveyed at a detailed scale of 1:6,000. Soil physical condition (petroplinthite), chemical fertility (nutrient retention and availability), low to moderate plant available water, poorly drained condition and erosion hazard were the land qualities that critically limited the suitability of soil mapping units BL II to BL V for the different crops. The evaluation showed that BL I was highly suitable under current suitability for maize, cowpea, green bean, onion and mango (55.55 % of the crops). The crop proportion rated as S1 increased to 88.88 % under potential suitability. The upgrade is expected to occur when the limitations identified are properly managed. Soil unit BL V degraded by previous mining is the least rated with most of the crops as temporarily and permanently not suitable. Land levelling or terrace construction and planting of mango as well as avoidance of bush burning were among management practices suggested to reclaim the deep gully associated with the degraded mined lands. For sustainable crops production and management of the study area; contour ridges, incorporation of organic matter and inorganic fertilizers as well as construction of drainage canals are recommended.

Land Suitability for Pepper in Tanggamus Regency, Lampung Province, Indonesia

Pepper is one of the local commodities developed in Indonesia and has become an export commodity. Improving the productivity of pepper can be done through sustainable land management based on the characteristics of soils and their potential. Therefore, land suitability evaluation is needed to maximize land potential and minimize inhibiting factors for pepper plant growth. This study evaluated the characteristics, potential, and distribution of suitable land for pepper plant development in Tanggamus Regency, Lampung Province, Indonesia. Land suitability was evaluated by matching land characteristics with land suitability criteria for pepper plants. This criterion consists of four classes, namely highly suitable (S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3), and not suitable (N). The soil's climate and physical and chemical properties were the land characteristics data used. Potential land availability was arranged based on land suitability classes by considering existing land use and forest area status. Soil types in Tanggamus Regency are Inceptisols, Entisols, Alfisols, Andisols, Oxisols, and Ultisols, with the most extensive distribution of soil types being Oxisol (Typic Hapludox). The distribution of relief in Tanggamus Regency is dominated by mountainous areas with very steep slopes (slope >40%). Land suitability classes are moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3), and not suitable (N) with limiting factors, namely drainage, texture, soil pH, and erosion hazard/slope. Improvement can be made by planting according to contours, planting cover crops, applying lime and organic matter, and ensuring balanced fertilization. The development of pepper plants in Tanggamus Regency can be achieved through diversification and extensification, with a total area of potential land that can be developed of 73,995 ha.
 
 Keywords: land potential, land evaluation, limiting factor, pepper, soil characteristics

Predicting soil cone index and assessing suitability for wind and solar farm development in using machine learning techniques

This study proposes a novel approach that combines machine learning models to predict soil compaction using the soil cone index values. The methodology incorporates support vector regression (SVR) to gather input data on key soil parameters, and the output data from SVR are used as inputs for additional machine learning techniques such as Gradient Boosting, Decision Tree, Artificial Neural Networks, and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System. Evaluation of Artificial Intelligent techniques shows that the XGBoost model outperforms others, exhibiting high accuracy and reliability with low mean square error and high correlation coefficient. The effectiveness of the XGBoost model has implications for soil management, agricultural productivity, and land suitability evaluations, particularly for renewable energy projects. By integrating advanced AI techniques, stakeholders can make informed decisions about land use planning, sustainable farming practices, and the feasibility of renewable energy installations. Overall, this research contributes to soil science by demonstrating the potential of AI techniques, specifically the XGBoost model, in accurately predicting soil compaction and supporting optimal soil management practices.

Identification of land characteristics to increase red chili productivity in Mangunan, Bantul, Indonesia

Red chili the vegetable commodities with significant economic value. The supply of chili is often constrained, so it is necessary to increase the land. Land suitability evaluation is needed to determine the suitable of land in Mangunan, Bantul for cultivation of red chili. The objective of this study is to identify land characteristics for red chili to facilitate the expansion of cultivation areas. The study was done using a survey method The soil analysis is conducted in accordance with the methodology prescribed by the Indonesian Centre for Land Resources and Agriculture. The results showed that the actual land suitability at altitudes of 0-300 m asl is S3 with a limiting factor being P element. The height of 300-350 m asl is N with limiting factor slope of land. At altitudes of 350-400 and 400-450 m asl is S3 with limiting factors C- organic and P element. After evaluation and improvement efforts, the suitability of potential land at an altitude of 0-300, 350-400 and 400-450 m asl was S2 with improve the addition of organic matter or fertilization P. The altitude of 300-350 m asl was S3 with improve making bench terraces and parallel planting.

Land intensification use scenarios based on urban land suitability assessment of the national park

In designing national parks, it is important to balance land use with ecological protection and local socio-economic development. In the past decades, the national park has undergone landscape fragmentation and degradation of ecological functions due to climate change and land use change, especially in national parks with urban areas. Therefore, ecological environmental protection projects should include the assessment of land use when planning urban area development in the national park region. Consequently, we used the Land Suitability Evaluation (LSE) method, with 13 indicators for natural, social and ecological variables, to assess the suitability of the newly created national park for urban land use on the Tibetan Plateau. Combining results of the suitability assessment and the Cellular Automata (CA) method, three urban intensification scenarios were simulated for 2040: (1) unplanned, (2) intensified, and (3) strictly regulated urban growth boundaries (UGBs). The impact of land use on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was analyzed by remote sensing and GIS tools, and the landscape patterns of the three urban growth scenarios were calculated. Close to 87 % of the area was basically suitable, nearly 13 % was unsuitable, and only 0.06 % (43.4 km2–also included in the basically suitable) was suitable for urban land use. In 2040, the built-up areas are predicted to be 3.38, 2.71 and 2.32 times greater than in 2020 under the unplanned (without considering ecological restrictions), the intensive development (emphasizing the driving force of transportation and tourism on the expansion of built-up areas) and the strict control (maximizing ecological restrictions) scenarios, respectively. An ideal development model was used to balance ecological protection and population growth and economic development. The NDVI analysis revealed that the impact of land use on vegetation cover in the intensive development scenario was ranked as winter pastures > tourist development zones > summer pastures. It is concluded that the intensification scenario, with transport and tourism as the main spatial drivers, is the most desirable for the future coordination of ecological conservation and socio-economic development in the national park. This scenario may alleviate the current environmental pressure of livestock grazing on winter pastures in the national park on the Tibetan Plateau. However, realizing this model requires appropriate engineering design for town development. Future research should assess the impacts of urban growth on the ecological environment, with the aim to achieve sustainable urban development tailored to the various geographic regions.

Evaluation of soil quality and land suitability in different management systems

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of management systems on soil quality in rangeland and agricultural lands (smallholder, total owner, and Binaloud Company) in Neyshabur plain, northeastern Iran. Twenty-one soil profiles were described and sampled. The weighted and additive soil quality indices (SQI) of surface soil and soil profile (0–100 cm) were calculated. The minimum data set (MDS) was determined using principal component analysis (PCA) and expert opinion (EO) methods. The land index (LI) for alfalfa was calculated using the FAO method. In all management systems, the EO-weighted SQI was the highest for surface soil and soil profile. The relationship between the EO-weighted SQI and alfalfa yield was the strongest in the total owner and Binaloud Company. The LI showed a better relationship with the alfalfa yield than the SQI. The SQI of soil profile provides more comprehensive information regarding the different soil management systems. The LI, which considers crop requirements, could be useful in comparing the soil quality for a specific plant. The lower soil quality in smallholder system is an early warning sign of soil degradation in the area. Furthermore, the SQI has sufficient capability to reveal the effects of the land exploitation systems on soil quality.