A DECISION SUPPORT MODEL FOR LAND USE PLANNING AT FARM LEVEL IN EL-DAKHLA OASIS, NEW VALLEY GOVERNORATE, SOUTH EGYPT | ||||
| Menoufia Journal of Soil Science | ||||
| Article 1, Volume 8, Issue 7, October 2023, Page 113-140 PDF (3.34 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: original papers | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/mjss.2023.245100.1020 | ||||
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| Author | ||||
| A. A Elwan | ||||
| Pedology Department, Water Resources and Desert Soils Division, Desert Research Center (DRC), Cairo, 11753, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Abstract: This work aimed to create a farm-level decision-support model that would use the properties of the soil, water, and climate measures to aid in decision-making. A detailed soil survey was carried out on the 1750 acres (≈1686.2 Faddans) at the El-Dakhla Oasis, New Valley governorate of Egypt. The study area was located west of the El-Dakhla - East El Owainate road, in close proximity. The primary landforms in the research area were sand dunes and sandy plain. Furthermore, 410 acres with active sand dunes in the southwest of the research region were disregarded from the investigation. On the other hand, the sandy plain (1340 acres) was chosen because of its nearly level terrain, making it perfect for farm design and planning. A total of 303 representative soil samples were taken from 102 soil pedons' various layers and horizons located in the sandy plain. The physical and chemical characteristics of the soils were studied through laboratory and statistical analyses. The only source of water in El-Dakhla Oasis is groundwater. Three groundwater samples were collected from various wells throughout the research region. According to the statistical study, the soils ranged widely from non-calcareous to extremely calcareous, with coarse, moderately coarse, and fine textures. The soils were also nonsaline to moderately saline. Deep soil pedons (125–160 cm) were found in all the study lands. There are hazardous levels of Mn2+ and Fe2+ in the soils and irrigation groundwater. The soils ranged from being non-gypsiric to rather gypsiric. The current study identified four soil mapping units on 1340 acres by examining the statistical results of dominating soil criteria. Although the collected groundwater includes dangerous levels of iron and manganese, its quality is suitable for agricultural use. The soil and water features were used to determine the potentiality of the lands, which were classified as high (700 acres) and moderate potential lands (640 acres). Depending on the soil, water, and climate, different crops could be grown on the study lands. Recommendations for each soil type included 275 acres for saline agriculture, 345 acres for vegetables, 355 acres for fruit trees, and 365 acres for forages. The 1750-acre study area lands were mapped and planned again, and a decision-support model was proposed based on the prior data. The study area was fragmented into specific farms based on the suggested land utilization types. The right of way was granted to the El-Dakhla - East El Owainate road behind it. A portion of the land with moderate potential class has been taken for non-agricultural activities with structures. The passageways and branches inside the farms were developed to make it easier and faster to access the various farms. Windbreaks and farm fences were placed between the fruit farm and sand dune areas to prevent sand dunes from taking over fruit farms. In addition to implementing strategies to enhance the farm's economic efficiency, it is imperative to incorporate environmental considerations into the farm planning process, potentially necessitating institutional assistance at the farm level. It is advisable to incorporate new environmental initiatives into agricultural policies to address environmental issues, considering the specific attributes of soil, water, and climate. This will enable efficient land use planning and the establishment of sustainable farming practices, thereby mitigating soil degradation, improving irrigation water quality, and addressing climate change concerns. This study's proposed decision model for farm planning may apply to New Valley soils and similar soils worldwide. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Soil; Water; Iron contamination; Potentiality; Suitability; Farm planning | ||||
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