Comparative study of erodibility factor in different agro-ecological sub-regions of eastern India

Abstract

Surface soils representing 16 soil series under six different agro-ecological sub-regions of eastern India, viz. hot moist dry sub-humid, hot moist sub humid, hot dry sub humid, warm per humid, hot moist humid to per humid and warm to hot moist humid to per humid with different land use pattern were studied for assessing their soil erodibility characteristics. It was found that the soils under hot, dry sub humid and warm to hot moist humid to per humid agro ecological sub region were most susceptible to erosion. Significant positive correlation was obtained for K with silt percent (0.891**) and silt + very fine sand percent (0.891**) while significant negative correlation with sand percent (− 0.815**) indicated that soils with higher content of intermediate particle size fractions erode more. The study indicated that the soils of Puruliya and Assam were highly erodible, which need sustainable land use options to reduce soil loss and maintain the overall soil health.