Soil Suitability Assessment for Rice Cultivation in the Northwestern Coast, Egypt | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Agronomy | ||||
| Article 4, Volume 47, Issue 2, June 2025, Page 235-247 PDF (1.37 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/agro.2025.350573.1604 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
Adel S. El-Hassanin1; rafat ramadan Ali2; Sayed Ahmed Hassanein  3; Abd Al Rahman S. Ahmed1
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| 1Natural Resources Department, Fac. African Postgraduate Studies., Cairo Univ., Egypt | ||||
| 2Soils and Water Use Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt | ||||
| 3Cairo university | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| This study employs geospatial technologies, including remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to evaluate land resources for rice cultivation in the northwestern coastal region. The analysis incorporates field investigations and laboratory tests to examine key soil properties such as salinity, cation exchange capacity (CEC), calcium carbonate content, and soil depth. These parameters are critical for assessing land suitability for rice cultivation. The study area includes diverse geomorphological units like aeolian, coastal, deltaic, and lacustrine plains, as well as pediment and plateau landscapes. Findings reveal significant limitations to rice cultivation due to salinity, alkalinity, and poor drainage, especially in deltaic and lacustrine plains, where land is predominantly classified as unsuitable (N). Moderately suitable (S2) and marginally suitable (S3) lands were identified, covering 37% and 35% of the total area, respectively. The Current Capability Index (CCI) and Potential Capability Index (PCI) indicate opportunities for enhancing soil productivity through targeted interventions, such as salinity mitigation, soil amendments, and optimized irrigation systems. The integration of GIS and remote sensing enables detailed spatial mapping of land degradation and potential improvements, offering a comprehensive framework for sustainable agricultural development. By promoting the use of rice varieties and advanced farming practices, this study provides actionable insights for addressing food security challenges in arid and semi-arid environments. These findings are pivotal for policymakers and planners to optimize land use and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability in the region. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| land resources; Current Capability Index (CCI); Potential Capability Index (PCI); Limitation | ||||
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