Ahmed Saeed Fathi Yousef Abuzaid
Professor
Fadl, M.E. and Abuzaid, A.S. 2017. Assessment of land suitability and water requirements for different crops in Dakhla Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt. Int. J. Plant Soil Sci. 16(16): 1-16. DOI: 10.9734/IJPSS/2017/33835
International Journal of Plant & Soil Science • 2017
Publication Information
Authors
Fadl, M.E.; Abuzaid, A.S.
Keywords
Land suitability; almagra model; dakhla oasis; western desert; GIS; remote sensing
Journal
International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
Publisher
Not Available
Volume
16
Issue
6
Pages
1-16
publication.type
International
Paper Link
Open Link
Supplementary Materials
Not Available
Abstract
Land reclamation projects in Egypt have been directed towards the Western Desert; however, such
expansion requires devoting land and water resources to the optimum use. Hence, the current work
aimed at assessing land suitability and water requirements for various crops in an area located
west of Dakhla Oasis. The geomorphic features were identified after the processing of Landsat 8.0
satellite image and Digital elevation model (DEM) verified by field and ground studies. Samples of
thirty-one soil profiles and eleven water wells were collected and analyzed. Land suitability was
assessed using MicroLEIS software with an Almagra model. The main geomorphic units are
plateau, pediplain, depression and sand sheets. About 97% of the soils are suitable (high,
moderate and marginal) for maize, sunflower, soya bean, wheat, sugar beet, cotton, watermelon,
alfalfa, potato, peach, citrus, and olive. Water requirements for each crop were calculated using
FAO–Cropwat model as 816.33, 795.98, 1003.83, 550.78, 865.13, 1150.83, 797.87, 2113.47,
397.37, 1577.86, 1503.92 and 1163.96 mm, respectively. The area has water resources with high
quality for irrigation, and thus it is considered promising for agricultural expansion
expansion requires devoting land and water resources to the optimum use. Hence, the current work
aimed at assessing land suitability and water requirements for various crops in an area located
west of Dakhla Oasis. The geomorphic features were identified after the processing of Landsat 8.0
satellite image and Digital elevation model (DEM) verified by field and ground studies. Samples of
thirty-one soil profiles and eleven water wells were collected and analyzed. Land suitability was
assessed using MicroLEIS software with an Almagra model. The main geomorphic units are
plateau, pediplain, depression and sand sheets. About 97% of the soils are suitable (high,
moderate and marginal) for maize, sunflower, soya bean, wheat, sugar beet, cotton, watermelon,
alfalfa, potato, peach, citrus, and olive. Water requirements for each crop were calculated using
FAO–Cropwat model as 816.33, 795.98, 1003.83, 550.78, 865.13, 1150.83, 797.87, 2113.47,
397.37, 1577.86, 1503.92 and 1163.96 mm, respectively. The area has water resources with high
quality for irrigation, and thus it is considered promising for agricultural expansion