Judging causes of soil degradation and remedial measures for reclamation in Kaithal district of Haryana state

Abstract

Soil degradation is a point of evolution which leads to a reduction of resource potential. About 7.40 m ha arable lands globally turn to degraded lands as a result of climate change and deforestation. The problem of soil degradation has been ever since cultivation of soils started because of increasing population of India at the rate of about 1.8% requiring marginal areas to be brought under the plough to meet the growing food demand. The present study was conducted in Kaithal district in the year 2018-19. The study revealed that ‘Excessive use of chemical fertilizers’ (88.33%) followed by ‘non- judicious use of insecticides/pesticides’ (85.83%), ‘less application of organic manure’ (85.00%), ‘deforestation (78.33%), and ‘over uplifting of ground water’ (75.83%) were found as most important causes of soil degradation. The most important remedial action for problematic soil were found as ‘land for equal distribution of resources/irrigation’ (90.83%) followed by ‘application of Gypsum for sodic and saline soil’ (85.83%), ‘introduction of legumes in cropping system’ (80.00%), ‘recharge of ground water during rainy season’ (78.33%), ‘crop residue incorporation by happy seeder’ (77.50%), ‘application of green manuring/ organic manure’ (75.00%) and ‘leaching of salts in saline soil’ (72.50%). Soil conservation is important for the future use and future generation. The study would be helpful in soils conservation which may otherwise cause damage to plant growth which in turn may adversely affect yield and there by food security also.