Status and Distribution of Available Nutrients in South El-Amiria Soils, Alexandria Governorate, Egypt Using Gis Technique.

Abstract

The current work aims to study the status and distribution of available nutrients in south El-Amiria soils, Alexandria Governorate, Egypt, using Geographic Information System (GIS) technique. The capability of GIS technique was used to create the classified fertility maps of available macro and micro nutrients status of the studied area. Available nitrogen varies widely from low to medium limits and has significantly positive correlation with organic matter, clay, gypsum and silt. Available phosphorus appears, generally, low limit and has positive and significant correlation with soil salinity, clay, silt and lime contents. Available potassium changes widely between low and high limits and has positive and significant correlation with silt, clay, soil salinity and lime contents. Available iron is in a low limit and has significant and positive correlation with organic matter content only. Available manganese shows, generally, low limits too and has positive and significant correlation with silt, clay, lime and organic matter. Available zinc differs between medium and low limits, and appears positive and significant correlation with organic matter, clay, silt, lime and gypsum. Available copper tends to be in low limits and has positive and significant correlation with clay, organic matter, lime, silt and gypsum. Effects of total sand contents on availability of most different studied elements show significant negative correlation except available iron contents which appear insignificant correlation. Evaluation of the nutrition requirements for annual and perennial crops of both groups reveal the deficiency levels of P, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu.