Algerian and American Researchers Publish in Sustainability on the Prediction of Saline Soils Using Artificial Intelligence

A scientific collaboration between the National Institute of Agronomic Research of Algeria (INRAA), represented by Dr. Hakim Bachir, the National Higher School of Agronomy (ENSA) of Algiers, represented by Dr. Samir Hadj Miloud, the Scientific and Technical Research Center on Arid Regions (CRSTRA) of Biskra, represented by Dr. Tarek Assami, the University of Missouri – Columbia, represented by Dr. Kerry Clark, and Iowa State University, represented by Prof. Ramishwar Kanwar, has resulted in the publication of a research article in the international peer-reviewed journal Sustainability (MDPI, 2025).

Recognized for its strong international reputation and indexed in Scopus and the Web of Science (Q1), Sustainability is among the most influential journals in the fields of environmental sciences and sustainable development.

Entitled “Application of Artificial Neural Networks to Predict Solonchaks Index Derived from Fuzzy Logic: A Case Study in North Algeria”, this study highlights the power of artificial intelligence models applied to the mapping and management of saline soils, a major challenge in the arid and semi-arid regions of northern Algeria.

An Innovative Approach to Saline Soil Management

Saline soils (Solonchaks) represent one of the main obstacles to sustainable agricultural production in many regions of Algeria. Their high concentration of mineral salts reduces soil fertility, limits crop growth, and undermines the resilience of agroecosystems.

To better understand and anticipate this phenomenon, the research team developed an innovative approach combining fuzzy logic (Fuzzy Logic) and artificial neural networks (ANN) to predict and map soil salinity indices using geospatial and environmental data.

The model integrates several key variables—soil texture, electrical conductivity, topography, vegetation indices, and climatic data—and achieves a high correlation between observed and predicted values, confirming the reliability and accuracy of the ANN model in detecting and monitoring salinity-affected areas.

This approach provides an effective decision-support tool for the sustainable management of agricultural lands, guiding policies on soil degradation control, irrigation system optimization, and territorial planning.

A Collaboration Serving Sustainable Development

According to Dr. Hakim Bachir, researcher at the National Institute of Agronomic Research of Algeria (INRAA) and corresponding author of the study,

“This research demonstrates the relevance of artificial intelligence technologies in understanding and anticipating soil salinization processes in Algeria, while strengthening scientific cooperation between our national institutions and our American partners.”

This publication represents an important milestone in promoting Algerian research at the international level and reflects the dynamism of scientific partnerships between:

• the National Institute of Agronomic Research of Algeria (INRAA),
• the National Higher School of Agronomy (ENSA) of Algiers,
• the Scientific and Technical Research Center on Arid Regions (CRSTRA) of Biskra,
• the University of Missouri – Columbia, and

Iowa State University.

The study fully aligns with the shared objectives of sustainability, food security, and natural resource conservation promoted by these partner institutions.

Access to the full paper

Dr BACHIR Hakim