Soil quality and land capability evaluation for agriculture in Balat area, El Dakhla Oasis, western Desert, Egypt

This research aimed to evaluate the land capability and soil health of the Balat area, El-Dakhla Oasis, Egypt. To achieve this objective, thirty soil profiles were chosen to represent the study area and soil samples were collected from each layer of each soil profile. Soil samples were analyzed for their physical, chemical, and fertility properties. These soils were characterized and classified. The obtained results were mapped for spatial variability distribution using ArcGIS software. The land capability was evaluated using the modified Storie index and the Microcomputer Land Elevation Information system (MicroLEIS). The soil quality index (SQI) was also calculated based on soil physical, chemical, and fertility indices. The obtained results revealed that the studied soils were alkaline, slightly saline to moderately saline, light to heavy textured, non-calcareous to calcareous, and poor in organic matter and nutrients. These soils were classified into two orders (Entisols and Aridisols), whereas they were found in three subgroups (Typic Torripsamments, Typic Torriorthents, and Typic Haplosalids). The modified Storie index was found to be better than the MicroLEIS Cervatana model in evaluating land capability. Four land capability grades were obtained from the Storie index (Grade 2 = Good; Grade 3 = Fair; Grade 4 = Poor; and Grade 5 = Non-agricultural), while two grades were recorded in MicroLEIS (S3 and N). The main limitations of the study area were soil texture, salinity, organic matter, and ESP. Regarding the soil quality, two grades were obtained from the applied method (moderate = 0.35–0.59 and good = 0.60–0.79). Spatial variability maps were generated for land capability methods as well as the soil quality. Therefore, these results and maps can be utilized as a guide for better planning and land resource management in the Balat area.