Soil fertility evaluation using ASLE and Nutrient Index models: A case study on some soils of Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt

Evaluation of soil fertility is an important factor for proper decisions making and strategies to achieve more sustainable agricultural systems. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the soil fertility status using ASLE program, GIS techniques and nutrient index in some soils of Dakahlia Governorate. For this purpose, 15 soil samples were randomly distributed within the studied area at a depth of 0-30 cm. Those were subjected to physiochemical analyses in order to evaluate soil fertility properties and nutrient index using Applied System for Land Evaluation (ASLE) software. Data outputs of the studied area were classified into two classes: (i) Good-C2 and (ii) Fair-C3 according to fertility index. Meanwhile, soil rating chart of fertility status was low based on the in their available P, medium in salt index and available K and high in organic carbon and available N according to nutrient index values. The obtained data of this study, therefore, provide insights regarding the potential modeling of soil characteristics data to make the proper decisions for soil fertility management.