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.