Abstract

The present research aims to generate a geometrical corrected physiographic map with a scale (1:50,000) and calculating crop water requirements for the suitable crops in this area. To fulfill these requirements, eight soil profiles were chosen to represent the different mapping units. Morphological description was carried out and soil samples were collected for the physical and chemical analyses. Based on satellite ETM+ images of the area and the geographic information system integrated with field work and laboratory routine analyses data, the physiographic soil map was produced. In this study, two main landscape units were identified, named: Coastal plain (the Fluvio Marine deposits) and Young sub-deltaic deposits. Subsequently, the main land qualities of different mapping units with the corresponding crop requirement were rated and matched to obtain the current and potential land suitability using automated land evaluation system (ALES). In this study, it is found that the most suitable crops for the study area in regard to its crop water requirements were: Clover, wheat, beans, onion, maize, sunflower, tomato and potato.

Key words: Soil mapping, water requirements, West Suez Canal, East Delta