No abstract

Sixteen soil profiles were chosen representing the identified physiographic units of the studied area west to The Great Bitter Lake to study its characteristic features, classify its soils and evaluate its ability for cultivation. The studied physiographic units are Old river terraces, Recent river terraces, Wadi bottoms, Soils of fans and outwash plains, Miscellaneous land types (which has two subunits namely faulted ridges and plateaus of sandstone and limestone and End of high land slopes) and Rock land.The study indicated that the soils have generally almost flat to gently undulating relief except some soils of end of high land slopes and old river terraces, and varied in some surface features like land cover and elevation. Soils are generally deep except end of high land slopes with texture from sand to sandy clay loam mainly have reddish color with dominance of coarse texture and high gravel content in most of studied soil profiles layers, with some rocks in soils of fans and outwash plains and end of high land slopes. All studied soils have low gypsum content and moderate calcium carbonate content with relatively high lime accumulation in some soils of old river terraces and fans makes diagnostic calcic horizon. Values of pH ranges between slightly to mildly alkaline with varied salinity levels from non to highly saline. Soil profiles are classified by using soil taxonomy to a number of families under Orthents as Entisols and Calcids as Aridisols orders.According to the degree of soil limitations in the studied profiles, the suitability indices for irrigated agriculture were calculated in its present condition and after specified major improvements. The soils of river terraces, fans and outwash plains, and wadi bottoms (about 24994 feddans) are considered as promising soil units for cultivation and the potential land characteristics of these units can be more adapted by chose the suitable land utilization types.