Soil Quality Assessment for Wheat Cultivation in El–Menoufia Governorate, Nile Delta, Egypt

Sustainable agriculture is one of the most important strategies to overcome world hunger and food shortage. Soil deterioration due to mismanagement seems to be a major obstacle against achieving these goals. The present study aimed at assessing the physical and chemical quality of the soils in El-Menoufia Governorate for the cultivation of wheat which is commonly practiced. Seventeen soil profiles were selected to represent  El-Menoufia Governorate soils in addition to 120 surface soil samples. Twelve physical and chemical soil parameters were chosen to evaluate soil quality including; soil salinity, exchangeable sodium, calcium carbonates content, pH, drainage, soil texture, depth, topography, surface stoniness, hardpan depth, hydraulic conductivity, and water holding capacity . Results showed variations among values of different parameters and localities. Interpolated thematic maps were produced for quantitative variables. Soil chemical quality index (CQI) and physical quality index (PQI) were calculated from the twelve investigated soil parameters. Results showed that El-Menoufia Governorate could be classified into two classes according to the physical quality measures (high and moderate), while results of chemical quality index revealed three categories (high, moderate and low). Over 85% of the soil of Menoufia governorate is of high physical quality while more than 89% is of moderate chemical quality for wheat cultivation according to both  physical and chemical parameters. The results of this study are useful in planning land use management.