An Asian Journal of Soil Science Volume 7 Issue 1 June,

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "An Asian Journal of Soil Science Volume 7 Issue 1 June,"

Lynn Collins
5 years ago
Views:

n sian ournal of oil cience Volume 7 Issue 1 une, 212 Research rticle Evaluation of soil constraints and soil-site suitability for groundnut in different land forms of meghal irrigation command area

1 n sian ournal of oil cience Volume 7 Issue 1 une, 212 Research rticle Evaluation of soil constraints and soil-site suitability for groundnut in different land forms of meghal irrigation command area of outhern aurashtra region of Gujarat EBER OF REERCH FORU : Corresponding author : H. P. PTEL, Department of gricultural Chemistry and oil cience, unagadh gricultural University, UNGDH (GURT) INDI hiren_agri36@yahoo.co.in Co-authors :.G. VLI and.c. CHOPD Department of gricultural Chemistry and oil cience, unagadh gricultural University, UNGDH (GURT) INDI sgsavalia@yahoo.co.in Received : ; Revised : ; ccepted : ummary The soil suistainability and soil site suitability for groundnut cultivation were elevated in different landforms of eghal Irrigation Command area of outhern aurashtra region of Gujarat. The soils were moderately alkaline in reaction and High CaCO 3 content. The ph, EC, CEC and EP increased with decrease in elevation. The major soil constraints identified were shallow soil depth, poor soil fertility (Low ), high ph as well as B.D., texture and low at. hydraulic conductivity. Out of five land forms, the soils over undulating upper pediment of aliya Taluka and coastal plain of veraval Taluka of unagadh district were in sustainable class ( 2 ). The soils over upper pediment belong to Typic Ustothrents as well as lower pediment belongs to Vertic Haplustepts of aliya taluka of unagadh district were marginally suitable ( 3 ) for groundnut. The soils over alluvial plain belongs to Calcic Haplustepts of aliya Taluka as well as coastal plain belongs to Fluventic Haplustepts of Veraval Taluka of unagadh district are currently not suitable (N 1 ) for groundnut cultivation. However, the soils over undulating upper pedment belongs to Typic Ustothrents of aliya Taluka are not suitable (N 2 ) for groundnut cultivation. Key words : oil-site suitability, Groundnut, Land forms, oil sustainability, Limitations How to cite this article : Patel, H.P., avalia,.g. and Chopada,.C. (212). Evaluation of soil constraints and soil-site suitability for groundnut in different land forms of meghal irrigation command area of outhern aurashtra region of Gujarat. sian. oil ci., 7(1):. Introduction The soils of outhern aurashtra region are unique in origin having diverse in genesis physiographic, climate, vegetation, depth, colour, age etc. soil sustainability can be assessed by monitoring indicators of soil quality. Understranding the severity of constraints for soil sustainability would serve as baseline indicator for future planning and also determine the crop yield and response to the management practices adopted. Yield of any crop is influenced by kind of soils occurring in the area, prevailing climate, topography and management levels. Groundnut (rachis hypogea) is grown in the soils of eghal Irrigation Command area of outhern aurashtra region in Gujarat state. The groundnut production of this area is not stable. Growing the crop without proper consideration of soil and site characteristics has resulted in overall lower yield and deterioration of soil health. Hence, it is essential to interpret the soil site and its characteristics in terms of their suitability for this crop grown in this area and alternative land use planning on suitable basis. Information on soil site suitability for groundnut crop in different landforms in eghal Irrigation Command area or for that matter in entire Gujarat is scanty. Hence, it is desirable that the groundnut crop should be grown as per suitability in different kinds of soils as well as climate and physiography. Optimum requirement of a crop are always region specific. Considering this, soil-site requirement for groundnut in the region was developed taking into account the available literature and field and local experience as suggested by FO (1976). In the present study, an attempt has been made to evaluate soil sustainability and soil-site suitability for groundnut crop in HIND GRICULTURL REERCH ND TRINING INTITUTE

different land forms of eghal irrigation Command area of outhern aurashtra region of Gujarat. pediment, and iso-megathermic in alluvial plain and coastal area. (WR and NB and LUP, 2).

2 different land forms of eghal irrigation Command area of outhern aurashtra region of Gujarat. pediment, and iso-megathermic in alluvial plain and coastal area. (WR and NB and LUP, 2). IR 1 LI II FCC imagery on 1:5, scale in conjunction with survey of India topographical (OI) map referred above on 1:5, scales were used to identify various land forms units. Five representative soils of landforms viz., undulating upper pediment (L-1), upper pediment (L-2), lower pediment (L-3), alluvial plain (L-4) and coastal plain (L-5) were selected for present study (Fig. B ). Physical and chemical characteristics were estimated by using standard procedures. Indicators of soil sustainability were compared with the limits as proposed by Lal (1994). Evaluation of soil sustainability based on evaluating the constraints of soils and were accomplished by using scoring method, as Resources and Research ethods The study area comprises of south aurashtra agroclimatic zone covering major part of unagadh district in outhern aurashtra region of Gujarat. It lies between 2114 to 21 N latitude and 724 to 716 E longitude. The area falls under semi-arid (dry) climate with a mean annual rainfall of 815 mm. The representative water balance of the study area is given in Fig.. The temperature regime of the study area is megathermic in undulating upper pediment, upper pediment and lower & (b) Pedons - P 5 P R D R 2 15 D U 2 U F O N D F O onths onths Rainfall PET Temp /2 PET R - Recharge, - urplus, U - Utilization, D - Deficit Fig. : Repr esentative water balance diagrams of the study area Le g e nd L-1 Undulating upper pediment L-2 Upper pediment L-3 Lower pediment L-4 lluvial plain L-5 Coastal plain X Pedons sites Taluka place Fig. B: ite of pedons in eghal Irrig ation Command ar ea of outhern aurashtra HIND GRICULTURL REERCH ND TRINING INTITUTE sian. oil ci., (une, 212) 7 (1) : N D Temp.(C)α α -1/2 PET (mm) P3 Rainfall (mm)& PET (mm) P 2, Temp.(C)α α -1/2 PET (mm) Rainfall (mm)& PET (mm) (a) Pedons - P 1, 45

3 EVLUTION OF OIL CONTRINT & OIL-ITE UITBILITY FOR GROUNDNUT Table : Climate and soil-site suitability criteria for groundnut (FO, 1976 & ys, et al, 1991,) Land characteristics 1 2 Rating class* 3 N 1 N Climatic (C) Precipitation (mm) < 2 ean precipitation of I st month (mm) < 5 II nd month (mm) < 5 III rd month (mm) < 5 IV month (mm) > 475 ean temperature ( C) < 1 ean maximum temperature of growing cycle ( C) > 4 ean minimum temperature of growing cycle ( C) < 6 Topography (t) lope > 6 Wetness (w) Drainage Good oderate Imperfect Poor drain-ability Poor not drainable Physical characteristics (s) Texture / structure L c<6s c>6v -- cm, sicm Coarse fragments > 35 oil depth (cm) > < 25 CaCO Gypsum oil fertility characteristics (f) CEC (cmol (P + ) kg -1 ) > 16 > 16(-) C16(+) B.. 35 < ph, H 2O Organic carbon > < alinity alkalinity (n) EC (dm -1 ) > 12 EP > 2 * 1 Highly suitable, 2 oderately suitable, 3 arginally suitable N 1 ctually unsuitable but potentially suitable, N 2 ctually and potentially unsuitable outlined by Lal (1994), viz., 1 = highly sustainable (<2), 2 = sustainable (2-25), 3 = sustainable with high input, (25-3) and 4 = ustainable with alternate land use (3-4). The soil-site suitability for groundnut was carried out using the FO (1976) and ys et al. (1991) (Table ) were matched with soil-site characteristics of different soil types of arrive at suitability classes. uitability classes were determined with regards to the number and intensity of limitations. The soils were evaluated in different suitability classes viz., 1 : highly suitable, 2 : moderately suitable, 3 : marginally suitable, N 1 : currently not suitable and N 2 : unsuitable (ys et al., 1993). Research Findings and Discussion The findings of the present study well as relevant discussions have been presented under following heads: HIND GRICULTURL REERCH ND TRINING INTITUTE 133 sian. oil ci., (une, 212) 7 (1) :

4 Characterization of soils : The data pertaining to soil characteristics of different landforms of the pedon P 1 to P are presented in Table 1. 5 The clay content ranged from to (mean of per cent). The soil ph varied from 7.91 to 8.19 (mean of 7.99) indicating the soils were moderately alkaline in reaction. The ph of the soils was in the increasing sequence of undulating upper pediment < upper pediment < lower pediment < alluvial plain < coastal plain (Table 1). thorough examination of the data revealed that an increase in soil ph gradually along the topography from undulating upper pediment to coastal plain could be the result of continuous flow of bases from higher topography to lower topography. This finding is in conformity with that of Gaikwad et al. (1974), Fitzpatrick and Leroux (1977), Tiwary et al. (1989), Datta et al. (199), ingh et al. (1991), Rathore (1993), harma (1995), harma et al. (1996) and avalia and Gundalia (28). The low ph observed in undulating upper pediment area might be due to the soils being situated at higher elevations. These findings are similar to those of ingh et al. (1991), Deshmukh and Bapat (1993) and avalia and Gundalia (29). The higher values of ph in alluvial plain and coastal plain might be due to calcareous parent material and accumulation of salts (ingh, 1999 and avalia, 25). The EC ranged from.26 to.81 dm -1 (mean of.5 dm -1 ). The electrical conductivity observed in the order of undulating upper pediment < upper pediment < lower pediment < coastal plain < alluvial plain (Table 1). The electrical conductivity increased from higher elevation to the lower elevation indicating that appreciable amount of salts have moved down the slope along with flowing water. The results are in concurrence with those obtained by Gaikwad et al. (1974), Fitzapatrick and Leroux (1977), Tiwary et al. (1989), Datta et al. (199), harma (1994), harma (1995) and avalia and Gundalia (29). The higher values of EC in lower elevated (alluvial plain and coastal plain) soils indicated the accumulation of salts received through flowing water from adjoining area. These findings are similar to those reported by harma (1995) and avalia (25). The organic carbon content of soils was low and ranged between.33 to.42 per cent (mean of.4%). The organic carbon content of the soils was observed in the sequence of lower pediment and alluvial plain < coastal plain < undulating upper pediment < upper pediment (Table 1). The results are in accordance with the findings of ingh et al. (1991), Ramana urthy and harma (1992), harma (1994) and avalia (25). The CaCO 3 content varied between 18.2 to 44.4% (mean of 27.1%) indicating the soils were highly calcareous in nature. This might be the part of local alluvium deposition in view of terrain characteristics. These findings are in close vicinity of those of harma et al. (1996). The CaCO 3 content was found in Table 1 : Characterization and evaluation of soil sustainability of the soils of meghal irrigation command area (weighted mean) Pedon Particle size and ilt Clay ph (1 :2.5) EC (dm -1 ) HIND GRICULTURL REERCH ND TRINING INTITUTE 134 sian. oil ci., (une, 212) 7 (1) : CaCO 3 CEC [cmol (p + ) kg -1 ] EP oil limitations Extreme evere oderate L 1:P 1: Undulating upper pediment, Dedekiyal, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh, L : 115 m P 1: Typic Ustothrents L 2: P 2: Upper pediment, Gadhali, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh, L : 9 m P 2: Typic Ustothrents Depth L 3: P 3: Lower pediment, Ghumti, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh, L : 45 m P 3: Vertic Haplustepts L 4: P 4: lluvial plain, ukhpur, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh, L : 15 m P 4: Calcic Haplustepts L 5: P 5: Coastal plain, imar, Tal. Veraval, Dist. unagadh, L : 5 m P 5: Fluventic Haplustepts B.D. C ph -. 2 (25) Depth, ph ph, ph,, B.D. ph, Texture, B.D. at. H.C. B.D., Texture, Depth, at. H.C. Texture, at. H.C. 3 (28) 3 (26) 3 (26) at. H.C. 2 (25) Overall mean C= oil suitability class, at H.C.= aturated hydraulic conductivity, =Organic carbon

5 EVLUTION OF OIL CONTRINT & OIL-ITE UITBILITY FOR GROUNDNUT the increasing order of upper pediment <l ower pediment < undulating upper pediment < coastal plain < alluvial plain (Table1). The CEC ranged from to cmol (P + )kg -1 (mean of cmol (P + )kg -1 ). imilar observations have also been made by harma and Bhaskar (23). The CEC was recorded in the increasing order of undulating upper pediment < upper pediment < lower pediment < alluvial plain < coastal plain indicating that CEC increases with decreasing elevation. The EP ranged from 2.82 to 12.7 (mean of 8.31). The EP was found in the increasing sequence of undulating upper pediment < upper pediment < lower pediment < alluvial plain < coastal plain. The comparatively lower values of EP at higher elevation might be due to the washing down of salts by rain (Paramshivam, 1992). The higher values of EP at lower elevation might be due to its mobility and position of profile in transect (harma, 1995), poor drainage, shallow ground water and high Na-salts. The results are in accordance with the findings of Barua (1989). The relatively higher EP at lower elevation indicates the possible potential alkalinity hazard in the near future. Preventive and reclamation measures and drainage improvement in this area is required. In general, the soils of eghal Irrigation Command area were moderately alkaline in reaction and highly calcareous in nature. The soils at higher elevation had low ph, EC, CEC and EP than at lower elevation. Constraints analysis for soil sustainability : The soil constraints evaluation and soil sustainability class of different land slopes of eghal Irrigation Command area are given in Table 1. The soils of pedon P 1 (Dedekiyal) and pedon P 5 (imar) were placed in sustainable class 2, while the soils associated with the pedons P 2 to P 4 were placed in sustainable with high input class 3. In general, the soils at higher elevation had the major soil constraints like shallow depth, fine texture, ph and poor soil fertility (low ), whereas at lower elevation had high ph, poor drainage as well as soil fertility (low ) and bulk density (Table 1). These findings are similar to those reported by avalia and Gundalia (28). oil-site suitability for groundnut : The soil characteristics of studied pedons used in assessing suitability are presented in Table 2 while a perusal of data on degree of limitations and suitability of soils for groundnut are presented in Table 3 and 4. Undulating upper pediment : The soils associated with the pedon P 1 belongs to Typic Ustothrents are not suitable (N 2 ) for groundnut cultivation because of major limitations like topography, shallow soil depth and poor soil fertility (Low ). Upper pediment: The soils of pedons P 2 belongs to Typic Ustorthents have been evaluated to be marginally suitable ( 3 ) for groundnut cultivation. The major limitations in pedons P 2 belongs to Typic Ustorthents are on account of limitations like topography, texture, shallow soil depth and poor soil fertility (low ). Table 2 : oil characteristics of studied pedons used in assessing soil-site suitability for the groundnut Pedon Climate (C) Wetness (W) Physical characteristics ()* oil fertility characteristics (f)* Rainfall (mm) Temp. ( o C) Topography slope Drainage Texture oil depth (cm) WC (mm/m) CaCO 3 Base saturation CEC [cmol (p + ) kg -1 ] alinity/lkalinity (n)* ECe EP (dm -1 ) P 1: Undulating upper pediment, Dedekiyal, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh, L : 115 m L Well l P 2: Upper pediment, Gadhali, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh, L : 9 m L Well cl P 3: Lower pediment, Ghumti, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh, L : 45 m L Imperfect scl P 4: lluvial plain, ukhpur, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh, L : 15 m L Poor sl P 5: Coastal plain, imar, Tal. Veraval, Dist. unagadh, L : 5 m L Poor l * Weighted mean, cl Clay loam, sl sandy loam, scl sandy clay loam, l Loam, WC= vailable water capacity HIND GRICULTURL REERCH ND TRINING INTITUTE 135 sian. oil ci., (une, 212) 7 (1) :

6 Table 3 : oil-site suitability evaluation for the groundnut in the soils of different landforms of eghal Irrigation Command rea (FO, 1976 and ys et al., 1991) Climate (C) Wetness (w) Physical characteristics () oil fertility (f) alinity / lkalinity (n) Land lope Temp. oil CaCO Rainfall ( Topography Drainage Texture 3 alinity CEC BP C) depth (ECe) P 1: Undulating upper pediment, Dedekiyal, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh, L : 115 m L N N P 2: Upper pediment, Gadhali, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh, L : 9 m L 2 1` P 3: Lower pediment, Ghumti, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh, L : 45 m L P 4: lluvial plain, ukhpur, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh, L : 15 m L N P 5: Coastal Plain, imar, Tal. Veraval, Dist. unagadh, L : 5 m L N = Highly suitable, 2 = oderately suitable, 3 = arginally suitable, N 1 = Currently not suitable, N 2= Not suitable, odicity (EP) Table 4 : Limitation levels of the land characteristics and land suitability class for groundnut Pedon No. Location ub group oil-site suitability class for groundnut L 1: Undulating upper pediment, L : 115 m P 1 Dedekiyal, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh Typic Ustothrents N 2wsf L 2: Upper pediment, L : 9 m P 2 Gadhali, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh Typic Ustothrents 3wsf L 3: Lower pediment, L : 45 m P 3 Ghumti, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh Vertic Haplustepts 3wsf L 4: lluvial plain, L : 15 m P 4 ukhpur, Tal. aliya, Dist. unagadh Calcic Haplustepts N 1wsfn L 5: Coastal plain, L : 5 m P 5: imar, Tal. Veraval, Dist. unagadh Fluventic Haplustepts N 1wsfn 2 = oderately suitable, 3 = arginally suitable, N 1 = Currently not suitable, N 2= Not suitable, w = Wetness, s = Physical characteristics, f = oil fertility characteristics, n = alinity / lkalinity hazard Lower pediment : The soils of pedons P 3 belongs to Vertic Haplustepts were found to be marginally suitable ( 3 ) for groundnut on account of limitations like poor drainage, topography, texture, shallow soil depth and poor soil fertility (low ). On adoption of corrective measures, the suitability class for groundnut could be upgraded to suitability class 2. avalia and Gundalia (24) have identified the drainage and texture as constraints for groundnut in medium black calcareous soils of Uben Irrigation Command area of aurashtra region in Gujarat. avalia and Gundalia (29) also observed the poor drainage, texture and shallow soil depth as constraints for groundnut in lower pediment area of outhern aurashtra in Gujarat. lluvial plain : The soils associated with the pedon P 4 belongs to Calcic Haplustepts are currently not suitable (N 1 ) for groundnut cultivation on account of the limitations like poor drainage, texture, poor soil fertility (low ) and high CaCO 3 as well as EP and suitability rating for this crop could be corrected up to suitability class by managing these constraints through adoption of corrective measures like soil water conservation practices, use of organic manures/green manures improving drainage conditions along with nitrogenous fertilizers. Coastal plain : The soils of pedon P 5 belongs to Fluventic Haplustepts are currently not suitable (N 1 ) for groundnut. This may due to the major soil constraints like poor drainage, high CaCo 3, poor soil fertility (low ) and high EP. On adoption of corrective measures like provision of surface drainage through lateral ditches (Giri et al., 1999), adoption of salt tolerant varieties, use of organic manures along with gypsum and nitrogenous fertilizers and soil and water conservation HIND GRICULTURL REERCH ND TRINING INTITUTE 136 sian. oil ci., (une, 212) 7 (1) :

7 EVLUTION OF OIL CONTRINT & OIL-ITE UITBILITY FOR GROUNDNUT practices, the suitability class of groundnut could be corrected in these soils. avalia and Gundalia (29) also observed the soil constraints like poor drainage, poor soil fertility and high EP in the coastal plain soils belongs to Fluventic Haplustepts of outhern aurashtra of Gujarat. Conclusion : Based on the present study it can be concluded that the soil of study area were moderately alkaline in reaction and highly calcareous in nature. The soils of higher topography have the major soil constraints like shallow soil depth, fine texture, high bulk density, ph and poor soil fertility whereas at lower topography have poor drainage as well as soil fertility (Low ) and high ph. The soils over upper pediment as well as lower pediment are marginally suitable ( 3 ) for groundnut cultivation. The soils over alluvial plain as well as coastal plain are currently not suitable (N 1 ) whereas undulating upper pediment are not suitable (N 2 ) for groundnut cultivation in the soils of different landforms of eghal Irrigation Command area of outhern aurashtra region of Gujarat. Literature Cited Barua,. (1989). Ph.D. Thesis, Punjab gricultural University, LUDHIN, PUNB (India). Datta,., aha, P. K. and Chaudhary, H.P. (199).. Indian oc. oil ci., 38: Deshmukh,.N. and Bapat,.V. (1993).. Indian oc. oil ci., 41: FO (1976). framework of land evaluation. oils Bull., 32, FO, Rome. Fitzpatrick, R.W. and Leroux,. (1977).. oil ci., 28: Gaikwad,. T., Rao, Y.. and Verma, H.K.G. (1974).. Indian oc. oil ci., 22: Giri,.D., ingh, R.., hyampura, R.L. and ain, B.L. (1999).. Indian oc. Coastal gric. Res., 17(1&2): Lal, R. (1994). ethods and guidelines for assessing sustainability use of soil and water resources in the tropics.cientific Publishers, odhpur, 29 pp. NB and LUP (1994). Proc. National eet on oil-site uitability Criteria for Different Crops. Feb. 7-8, held at NB and LUP (ICR), NEW DELHI (India). Paramsivam, P.C.(1992). Ph.D. Thesis, Tamilnadu gricultural University, COIBTORE, T.N. (India). Ramana, urthy. R. and harma,.k. (1992).. Indian oc. oil ci., 4: Rathore, K..(1993)..c. (g.) Thesis, R..U., Bikaner Campus, UDIPUR, RTHN (India). avalia,.g. (25). Ph.D. Thesis, Gujarat gricultural University, UNGDH, GURT (India). avalia,.g. and Gundalia,.D.(24). National ymposium on Current trends of Research on Groundnut in India held at National Research Centre of Groundnut,. unagadh during Oct.11-13, pp avalia,.g. and Gundalia,.D. (28). Legume Res.,31(1):1-7. avalia,.g. and Gundalia,.D. (29). Legume Res.,32(3): ehgal,.l. (1991). Introductory pedology, oil genesis, survey and classification. Kalyani Publishers, NEW DELHI (India). harma,.p. and Bhaskar, B.P. (23).. Indian oc. oil ci., 51:279. harma,.p. and Roychowdhury, C. (1988).. Indian oc. oil ci., 36: harma, R.K. (1995)..c. (g.) Thesis, Rajasthan gricultural University, Bikaner, UDIPUR, RTHN (India). harma,.. (1994)..c. (g.) Thesis, R..U., Bikaner Campus, UDIPUR, RTHN (India). harma,.., Totawat, K.L. and hyampura, R. I. (1996).. Indian oc. oil ci., 44: ingh, O.P., Datta, B. and Rao, C.N. (1991).. Indian oc. oil ci., 39: ingh,.k. (1999). Ph.D.Thesis, R..U., Bikaner Campus, UDIPUR, RTHN (India). WR and NB and LUP (2). Natural Resources of Gujarat. oil and Water anagement Research Unit, Gujarat gricultural University, Navsari and Natural Bureau of oil cience and Land use Planning, Regional Centre, Udaipur, WP Pub. 11. ys, C., Vanrasant, B. and Debavye,. (1991). Land evaluation Part 2. ethod in land evaluation. gricultural Pub. No. 7, Belgium. ys, C., Vanrasant, B. and Debavye,. (1993). Land evaluation Part-3. Crop requirement. gricultural Pub. No. 3, Belgium. Tiwary,.R., ha, P. P. and ishra, B.B. (1989).. Indian oc. oil ci., 37: ******** ****** **** HIND GRICULTURL REERCH ND TRINING INTITUTE 137 sian. oil ci., (une, 212) 7 (1) :

SOIL-SITE SUITABILITY EVALUATION FOR GROUNDNUT IN SOUTHERN SAURASHTRA REGION OF GUJARAT

Legume Res., 32 (3 : 157-165, 2009 AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATION CENTRE www.arccjournals.com / indianjournals.com SOIL-SITE SUITABILITY EVALUATION FOR GROUNDNUT IN SOUTHERN SAURASHTRA REGION OF GUJARAT