Forty-two soil profiles were selected to represent an area of 2500 feddans of desert sandy soils in Tushka, South Valley, Egypt. The area is located on the right side of Abu-Simbel/ Aswan road (Km 15- Km 20) north of Abu-Simbel City. Morphological characteristics of the area were described. Soil samples were collected to study physical and chemical properties of soils, soil development, classification and land evaluation for agricultural purposes.
Results of the morphological rating scale indicate that the soils have relatively a moderate distinctness and a slight development stage with mostly close relative horizon distinctness (RHD). Relative profile development (RPD) values indicate clear variations between horizons that reflect great obvious heterogeneity of the soil parent materials with very slight profile development.
The obtained data reveal that the texture class of the studied soils differs from sand to sandy loam. Most of soil profiles are none to slightly saline and have an exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of <15 %, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of <13 with low calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content. Gypsum and organic matter contents are generally very low and soil reaction (pH) tends to be moderate to alkaline. Sodium and sulphate ions dominate in soil solution.
Based on morphological, physical and chemical soil properties, the soils under consideration were classified according to soil taxonomy down to the family level as: a) Sandy, mixed, hyperthermic, Typic, Lithic or Sodic Torripsamments, b) siliceous, hyperthermic, Typic or Lithic Quartzipsamments, c) coarse-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic, Typic or Lithic Torriorthents and d) coarse-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic, Typic Natrargids.
Applying the fertility capability classification (FCC) system, the studied soils were classified as: Sdb (1), Sdb (2), Sdbs (1), Sdbs (2), Sdbsn (2), SLdb (1), SLdbs (1), SLdbsn (2), Ldb (2) and Ldbs (2).
Most of the soils under study are suitable for irrigation. However, few soil profiles are not suitable for irrigation because they have severe to very severe limitations.