Soil fertility assessment for optimal agricultural use using remote sensing and GIS technologies

An uneasy population increase requires expansion of the agricultural area. Egypt has a strategic direction in expanding agricultural areas, which highlights the objective of the research that is to assess soil fertility through its geographical assessment and remote sensing. The examination region of this investigation is situated in north region of west desert, about 55 km, west of Cairo, Egypt. A semi-detail survey was carried out using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) for the study. The results found the high suitable areas (S-1) for field crops; barley and wheat were about 54.7% for each of the total area, while for corn and beans were about 44.9% for each of the total area, while S-1 areas for vegetable crops; tomato, eggplant, and melon were 67.8, 71.2, and 53.2% of the total area, respectively, while S-2 for pepper-zucchini was about 65.4 and 49.7% of the total area, respectively. But for fruit trees, S-1 is for pears (60.3%), pomegranates (50.9%), and palms (80.2%) while S-2 for olives (30.3%), Figs. (30.3%), almonds (10.4%), vines (19.7%), and peaches (20.5%). To reduce water losses is by improving the means of delivery and raising the efficiency of irrigation, by evaluating the appropriate situation of the irrigation system for soil quality in the study area, and by choosing the appropriate methods of irrigation in the region to raise efficiency in rationalizing consumption and reducing losses. Drip and sprinkle irrigation suitability for the entire area are moderate to high, where soil texture factor is limiting drip irrigation method while wind speed and soil texture factors are limiting sprinkle irrigation in the area.