Characterization of soils developed under tropical environment for land use planning in fringe of Chhotanagpur Plateau in eastern India

Abstract

Soils developed on various physiography at the foothills of Chhotanagpur Plateau were studied to characterize, classify and evaluate their suitability for existing crops. The soils in general were moderately deep (78 cm) to deep (120 cm), well drained to poorly drained, greyish in colour (hue 7.5 YR to 2.5Y) with redoximorphic features, loam to clay loam in surface texture, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.3 – 6.7) in reaction with low content of organic carbon. These soils are classified as Udic Haplustalfs, Udic Paleustalfs and Typic Endoaqualfs. The major limitations of these soils were slight to moderate erosion and low soil fertility in terms of organic carbon. Soil-site suitability evaluation revealed that in general, existing crops, such as rice (Oryza sativa), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.), mustard (Brassica juncea L.), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) were only moderately to marginally suitable. Maize (Zea mays L.), Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris) were suggested as alternate crops where as plantation of fruit trees (Mangifera indica, Psidium guijava and Artocarpus heterophyllus) and introduction of aromatic grasses (Cymbopogon wintcriamus, Pandanus odoratissimus L. and Cymbopigon flexuosus Stapt) were suggested in fallow lands.