Characterization and Evaluation of Land Resources of Valia Block, Bharuch District, Gujarat

Abstract

Detailed soil survey (1:10000 scale) was carried out using base map prepared from satellite data (IRS-P6 LISS IV and Cartosat-1) and Digital Elevation Models (DEM) in conjunction with Survey of India (SOI) Toposheets of 1:50000 scale in Valia block, Bharuch district of Gujarat. On the basis of landform, slope, land use/land cover and ground truth, six landscape ecological Units (LEUs) were delineated and six soil series were identified in the block. Five soil series occur on alluvial plain (cover 66.16 %) and one soil series occupies pediplain 27.61 %. These series were mapped into ten soil mapping units as phases of soil series. The representative pedons of alluvial plain were moderately deep to very deep and their sand, silt and clay content ranged from 8.2 to 44.4, 9.8 to 40.2 and 43.8 to 55.6 per cent, respectively. These pedons were neutral to strongly alkaline (pH 6.8 - 9.7), non-saline with low to high organic carbon (0.18 – 1.2 %) content, low to high calcium carbonate (5.9 - 26.6 %) and high CEC [>35 cmol (p+) kg-1]. Exchangeable complex of these pedons were dominated by Ca2+ followed by Mg2+, Na+ and K+ cations with high base saturation (72.0 to 99. 4 %). Soils were classified as Vertic Haplustepts, Typic Haplusterts, Typic Calciustepts, Typic Haplustepts and Sodic Haplusterts. The representative pedon of pediplains was shallow, dark brown (7.5YR3/2), clayey, strongly alkaline (pH>8.5), non-saline (<2 dSm-1) and had moderate organic carbon (0.50-0.75 %) and calcium carbonate (5-15 %) with high CEC [>35 cmol (p+) kg-1] and classified as Lithic Haplustepts. The soils were evaluated for their suitability for commonly grown crops (cotton, pigeon pea, wheat and chick pea) and mapping unit 2 and 4 were highly suitable for cotton cultivation and other were moderately to marginal suitable for other crops.