Soil classification and land suitability evaluation for tomato cultivation using analytic hierarchy process under different land uses

Population growth has led to excessive land use, affecting soil suitability and sustainability. Detailed soil characterization and land evaluation for various land uses are essential steps toward achieving food security and sustaining the environment. This study classifies soils and assesses their suitability for tomato cultivation using the FAO Land Assessment Framework and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) model. The land use requirements were matched with land suitability criteria, and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to determine the relative importance of each evaluation criterion. Soil morphological and physicochemical properties were analyzed across different land uses. Based on USDA Soil Taxonomy, the soils under land use HK1 were identified as Typic Endoaqualfs, HK2 as Typic Albaqualfs and Inceptic Haplustalfs, while HK3 was categorized as Typic Haplustalfs and Typic Plinthaqualfs. The World Reference Base classification system identified these soils as Gleysols for soil unit HK1, Luvisols for pedon HK2P1, and Lixisols for the remaining soil units. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the AHP method in logically determining the weights of multiple parameters in a multi-criterion approach. The results show that 89.73 % of the area is highly suitable for tomato cultivation, while 10.27 % is moderately suitable. The primary limitations of these soils are low fertility and poor drainage. The study suggests that management techniques including incorporation of organic matter, inorganic fertilizers and improved drainage conditions are needed for sustainable productivity.