Spatial Assessment of Soil Properties in an Agricultural Basin - A Case Study: The Kiremitli Stream Basin (Keşan, Edirne)

Intensive rice cultivation is practiced in the lands adjacent to the Kiremitli Stream Basin. The literature on the Kiremitli Stream Basin, where a variety of agricultural activities are carried out, including vegetables, fruit, and oil crops such as sunflowers, is insufficiently researched. This study was conducted to determine the physical, chemical, and macro-micro element properties of soils in the Kiremitli Stream Basin (Keşan district of Edirne Province) to spatially model these data using Geographic Information Systems techniques. A total of 35 soil samples were collected from a depth of 0–30 cm. Research findings were evaluated using the Ordinary Kriging (OK) interpolation method, which was selected due to the absence of a significant deterministic trend in the dataset, and spatial distribution maps were created in the GIS environment. The basin soils are predominantly clay and clay-loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction, and exhibit high lime content in certain areas. Organic matter values ranged between 0.204–3.364%. Potassium (mean 279.26 mg kg⁻¹) and calcium (mean 6296.15 mg kg⁻¹) were generally sufficient, whereas magnesium (mean 151.48 mg kg⁻¹) and phosphorus (mean 13.89 mg kg⁻¹) were determined to be deficient in certain parts of the basin. Zinc and manganese showed significant deficiencies, while iron was generally adequate. Hydraulic conductivity values of soils vary between 0.09–1.158 cm/h. The study emphasizes the necessity of implementing site-specific and targeted fertilization programs in the Kiremitli Stream Basin to ensure sustainable land management. Organic matter enhancement practices, such as green manuring, the application of organic fertilizers, and the incorporation of plant residues, should be prioritized. Furthermore, the GIS-based maps produced in this research provide valuable decision-support tools for basin planning and can contribute significantly to agricultural production and natural resource management efforts in the region.