Soil Site Suitability Research Articles

Land Evaluation of Tribal Talukas of Bharuch District in South Gujarat, India

Climate change interrupts existing agriculture, emphasizing the need for land evaluation to assess current capacities and introduce climate-resilient alternative crops. A study was undertaken to evaluate soils of three tribal talukas viz. Jhagadia, Netrang and Valia of Bharuch district in South Gujarat during 2021-24. The total fifteen representative soil profiles were identified and excavated from various landforms based on GIS maps. Land evaluation was conducted using land capability classification, land irrigability classification and soil site suitability for existing crops and alternative crops for the study area. The study area is predominantly classified under Land Capability Class II, indicating minor limitations and covering the majority of the region. The study area also includes Class III with moderate limitations and Class IV in Netrang taluka, which faces severe limitations due to soil quality, wetness, and erosion. The study area soils were grouped under three irrigability classes with further divided into six sub-classes based on the limitation of soils and site characteristics. Soil suitability indicates high cotton potential in specific profiles, while pigeonpea and soybean shows broad suitability. Sugarcane thrives in Jhagadia and Valia, with marginal suitability in Netrang and banana is highly suitable in most of Jhagadia. Key alternative crops suitable for the study area are finger millet, castor, groundnut, green gram, cluster bean, mango, guava and Kamalam. The study advocates soil and water conservation for intensified, sustainable agriculture, proposing tree-based BAIF's Wadi model for hilly terrains.

Assessment of Soil-site Suitability for Major Horticulture Crops in Chikkumbi-3 Micro-watershed (4D7C5O2f), Karnataka Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Detailed soil resource inventorization was carried out at 1:7,920 scale in Chikkumbi-3 micro watershed, savadatti taluk, Belagavi district with an objective to assess the land suitability for various horticultural crops in the watershed. The soils of Chikkumbi-3 micro-watershed are characterized and classified into 3 soil series (CLK, CKB and HNL) comprising of 5 mapping units. The soil site characteristics and climatic factors were evaluated for its suitability for major horticultural crops viz., tomato, cabbage, chilli, rose, jasmine and coconut. The analysis revealed that the soil series CLK (Chulki), CKB (Chikkumbi), and HNL (Hanchinal) are presently not suitable for growing coconut due to significant limitations in physical conditions, rooting, and moisture. However, the region is deemed moderately to marginally suitable for the cultivation of tomato, cabbage, chilli, rose and jasmine. The main limitations in all the soil series found to be texture, CaCO3 content and climatic factors. These findings serve as foundational data for identifying specific soil constraints, aiding in the development of sustainable strategies for crop production in the study area.

Soil-site Suitability Assessment for Major Fruit Crops in Chikkumbi-3 Micro-watershed (4D7C5O2f), Karnataka Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

A research project was conducted to assess the viability of three soil series (CLK, CKB, and HNL) in the Chikkumbi-3 micro-watershed of Dharwad district, located in the Northern dry zone (Zone-3) of Karnataka. Using criteria such as texture, depth, slope, erosion, graveliness, and stoniness, ArcGIS V 10.8 was employed to classify the soils into five mapping units. The suitability of these mapping units was then evaluated for cultivating major fruit crops, including mango, lime, guava, grape, pomegranate, and sapota. The analysis revealed that the soil series Chulki (CLK), Chikkumbi (CKB) and Hanchinal (HNL) are presently not suitable for growing mango and lime due to significant limitations in physical conditions, rooting, and moisture. However, the region is deemed moderately to marginally suitable for the cultivation of guava, grape, pomegranate, and sapota. These findings serve as foundational data for identifying specific soil constraints, aiding in the development of sustainable strategies for crop production in the study area.

Soil-site suitability assessment for major cereal crops in the Ganjigatti sub-watershed, Karnataka using remote sensing and geographic information systems

Land evaluation is the assessment of the suitability for specified land uses. Land evaluation and quantitative landuse systems analysis support the planning of sustainable use of land. Twenty-one soil series and their phases (sixty-one)identified and mapped during land resource inventory were evaluated for their soil-site suitability for major cereal crops inGanjigatti sub-watershed, Dharwad district in Hilly zone (zone 9) of Karnataka for sustainable land use planning. The soilseries were AKT (Attikatti), ASR (Adavisomapura), BGD (Bagadgeri), BGH (Bigudihala), BNK (Bhogenagarkoppa), BTP(Bettadapura), GJG (Ganjigatti), HNL (Hirehonnalli), HRG (Harugeri), KDK (Kadanakoppa), KMD (Kamadhenu), KRK(Kuradikeri), MLP (Mahalingpur), MRK (Mishrikoti), MVD (Mevundi), RMN (Ramanhala), SDK (Sangedevarakoppa),SGL (Singtalur), SSK (Surashettykoppa), UGK (Ugginakeri) and YSJ (Yelisirunj). Based on texture, depth, slope, erosion,graveliness and stoniness, the twenty-one soil series were mapped into sixty-one mapping units by using Arc GIS version10.8. The soils were evaluated for potential soil site suitability for major cereal crops viz., rice, wheat, maize, sorghum andpearl millet. Majority of soil mapping units are moderately (S2) and marginally suitable (S3) for cultivation due to moderateto severe limitations in climate, soil, drainage and slope per cent. The soil series BGD and MLP were currently not suitabledue to very severe limitations of soil depth. These results could be used as baseline information for identifying specific soilresource constraints for sustainable production of these cereal crops in the study area.

Soil-site suitability evaluation for major crops grown in part of Vedurukuppammandal in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India

Soil-site suitability evaluation for major crops grown in part of Vedurukuppammandal in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India

Soil site suitability for sustainable intensive agriculture in Sagar Island, India: a geospatial approach

Soil site suitability for sustainable intensive agriculture in Sagar Island, India: a geospatial approach

Productivity, Potentiality and Soil-site Suitability Evaluation for Rice Crop in the Moridhal Watershed of Dhemaji District of Assam

A study was undertaken to carry out the productivity and suitability evaluation of the soils of the Moridhal watershed in Dhemaji district of Assam. Satellite image interpretation led to the recognition of four different physiographic units in the studied area which included: upper piedmont plain, lower piedmont plain, alluvial plain, and flood plain. One hundred seventy surface soil samples representing different physiographic units were collected and analyzed in the laboratory for various soil parameters. The productivity and suitability of the soils were computed and assessed by following standard procedures. The productivity index of studied soils varied from 12.13 to 62.14 could be ranked as: alluvial plain>flood plain>lower piedmont plain>upper piedmont plain. However, through adoption of proper improvement measures the soils could be improved to land index values of 41.04 to 90.25.The land index value for Sali rice, Ahu rice and Bororice could categorize into permanently unsuitable (N2) to moderately suitable (S2). The studied soils in terms of their suitability for Sali rice, Ahu rice and Boro rice could be arranged in the sequence: flood plain> alluvial plain> lower piedmont plain> upper piedmontplain. The productivity and soil suitability maps as generated under GIS environment will serve as ready reckoner to farmers, planners and administrators in identifying the potential are assuitable for the major crops grown in that area.

Characterization and soil-site suitability evaluation for different crops in Sarupathar block of Golaghat district, Assam

Characterization and soil-site suitability evaluation for different crops in Sarupathar block of Golaghat district, Assam

GIS based Land Use Suitability of Diversified Cropping Systems in Bareli Watershed

A study was undertaken to evaluate the soils in Bareli watershed, Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh for sustainable land use planning. Five soil series namely, Diwartola, Diwara, Bareli-1, Bareli-2 and Bareli-3 were tentatively identified and mapped into twenty-four mapping units and a soil map was generated using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. The land information generated during soil survey has been used to evaluate land capability, land irrigability, soil productivity and soil-site suitability for some medicinal, aromatic and spices crops. The soils were grouped into land capability sub-classes IVs and IVst and land irrigability sub-classes 2st, 3s, 3st and 4st. Soils of Diwartola, Bareli-1 and Bareli-3 were average and soils of Diwara and Bareli-2 were poor in soil productivity based on limitations of erosion, drainage and physicochemical properties. Soil-site suitability assessment reveals that soils of Bareli-1 were moderately suitable (S2) for cultivation of medicinal and spices crops like Ashwagandha, Mucana, Davana, Lemongrass, Turmeric and Ginger with moderate limitations of effective depth and slope, while, soils of Diwartola and Bareli-3 were marginally suitable (S3) for cultivation of these crops.

​Soil Suitability for Growing Pulses in Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka

Background: A soil suitability evaluation of Kanamadi South sub-watershed in the Northern Dry Zone of India was carried out during April 2019 to define the soil fitness for the production of pigeonpea, chickpea, greengram and cowpea the four major pulses that are widely grown in the area. Methods: A detailed soil survey of Kanamadi South sub-watershed was carried out using IRS P6 LISS-IV image and Vijayapura district toposheet. The soils of Kanamadi south sub watershed were grouped into 19 mapping units based on studied 50 profiles. The studied physical and chemical properties were evaluated using the FAO (1976) framework for land evaluation was followed in the evaluation of soil-site suitability for major crops grown in Kanamadi South sub-watershed. This classification recognized two orders of land suitability, order ‘S’ (suitable) and order ‘N’ (not suitable) which are further subdivided into land suitability classes. Result: The studied 19 mapping units were moderately (S2) to marginally suitable (S3) for pigeonpea and greengram having marginal to severe limitations of rainfall and soil physico-chemical properties and none to slight limitation of land form characteristics. The mapping units were moderately suitable (S2) to marginally suitable (S3) for chickpea and cowpea having moderate to severe limitation of temperature, rainfall, depth and pH and none to slight limitation of land form characteristics. The suitability of the study area for all the pulses were said to be moderately suitable (S2) for growing pulse crop for improving productivity and improving biological nitrogen fixation.

Application of geo-spatial technologies in soil suitability assessment for village level crop planning in Chittaurgarh, Rajasthan

The agro-eco-sub region (AESR) 4.2 encompasses Aravalli foot hills, central Rajasthan plains and adjoining areas. Visual interpretation of geo-coded satellite data (IRS-P6, LISS IV MX) on the same scale was done before starting the field work. Based on the interpretative units a high intensity detailed soil survey was carried out in cluster of ten villages of Bhadesar tehsil of Chittaurgarh district on cadastral map (1:4000 scale) and the soils were characterized with respect to landforms. In all, 14 soil series were established and assessed for soil site suitability for maize, wheat, mustard and soybean. Daulatpura-c series soils are suitable for maize, mustard, soybean, and Daulatpura-d soils for soybean and moderately suitable for other crops. Soils of Bagund and Narbadiya-a series are moderately suitable for maize and marginally suitable for other crops. The soils of Bhadsoda-b series are marginally suitable only for mustard but moderately suitable for all other crops. Soils of Parliya series are moderately suitable only for mustard crop and marginally suitable for remaining crops. The soils of Guda series are marginally suitable for maize, wheat, mustard but not suitable for soybean. The soils of Nardhari-a and Nardhari-b are moderately suitable, Daulatpura-b, Bhadsoda-a and Narbadiya-b are marginally suitable whereas soils of Madanpura and Daulatpura are not suitable for all the crops due to limitations of shallow soil depth.

Productivity, potentiality and soil-site suitability evaluation for rice crop in the Ghiladhari watershed of Assam

A study was undertaken to carry out the productivity and suitability evaluation of the soils of the Ghiladhari watershed of Assam. Satellite image interpretation led to the recognition of six different physiographic units in the studied area which included: structural hill, upper piedmont plain, lower piedmont plain, upper alluvial plain, lower alluvial plain and old flood plain. Fifty surface soil samples representing different physiographic units were collected and analyzed in the laboratory for various soil parameters. The productivity and suitability of the soils were computed and assessed by following standard procedures. The studied soils with mean productivity index values ranging from 11.90 to 44.78 could be ranked as: lower alluvial plain> upper alluvial plain> old flood plain> lower piedmont plain> upper piedmont plain> structural hill. However, through adoption of proper improvement measures the soils could be improved to land index values of 22.60 to 54.23. The land index value for winter rice varied from 1.10 to 39.77 and for Summer/Autumn rice it ranged between 1.30 to 44.32. The studied soils in terms of their suitability for winter rice, and Summer/Autumn rice could be arranged in the sequence: old flood plain> lower alluvial plain> upper alluvial plain> lower piedmont plain> upper piedmont plain> structural hill. The productivity and soil suitability maps as generated under GIS environment will serve as ready reckoner to farmers, planners and administrators in identifying the potential areas suitable for the major crops grown in that area.

Soil-Site suitability evaluation for soybean and sunflower crops in the soils of north-west Gir Madhuvanti toposequence of South Saurashtra Region of Gujarat

Six representative pedons were evaluated for their suitability of two oilseed crops (Soybean and Sunflower) in the soils of different land slope of north-west Gir Madhuvanti toposequence of south Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The land slopes, lower piedmont belong to Vertic Haplusterts (P3) were marginally suitable (S3) for Soybean and Sunflower. The soils plain area belongs to Typic Haplusterts (P4) and depression area belong to Sodic Haplusterts (P5) were marginally suitable (S3) for Sunflower and currently not suitable (N1) for Soybean. Upper piedmont belongs to Lithic Ustorthents (P2) were marginally suitable (S3) for Soybean and permanently not suitable (N2) for Sunflower. The soils upper coast belong to Fluventic Calciustepts (P6) were marginally suitable (S3) for Sunflower and permanently not suitable (N2) for soybean. The hill slopes belong to Lithic Ustorthents (P1) were currently not suitable (N1) for Soybean and permanently not suitable (N2) for Sunflower. Topography, drainage, shallow soil depth, high CaCO3, poor soil fertility (low O.C. and high soil pH) soil salinity and sodicity are the major limitations in most soils of north-west Gir Madhuvanti toposequence of south Saurashtra. Results showed that the suitability classes can be improved if the correctable limitations (soil fertility characteristics) are altered through soil amelioration measures.

Data article on soil site suitability analysis using geostatistical and visualization techniques for selected winter crops in Sagar island, India.

We assessed soil site suitability for selected winter crops in the coastal saline agro-ecological environment of Sagar Island, India by integrating land limitation and crop suitability evaluation framework of FAO. Grid based (1 km by 1 km) soil sampling and estimation of important soil quality attributes were measured in the laboratory following standard procedures. Geo-statistical and visualization methods were applied to match the soil suitability for selected crops. The weights of crop specific soil parameters have been assigned through PCA analysis. The inverse distance weighting interpolation and reclassification methods were adopted for generation of spatial layers of those soil attributes. Nearly 61% area (14,618 ha GA) of the Island is under agricultural landuse (AL), mostly dominated (>75% of AL) by lowland rice-fallow mono-cropping. Soils are highly suitable (S1) for growing sunflower while moderately suitable (S2) for growing chilli, mustard and potato crops. The grid-wise georeferenced soil data information generated in this study will help in periodic monitoring of soil quality in spatio-temporal dimensions for devising location specific soil health managements in the Island. The methodology used in estimating soil quality index and crop specific soil suitability analysis in spatial format will help in replicating such studies in other such coastal Islands of Indian Sub-continent.

Soil site suitability analysis using geo-statistical and visualization techniques for selected winter crops in Sagar Island, India

The present study comprehensively assessed soil site suitability for selected winter crops in the coastal saline agro-ecological environment of Sagar Island, India by integrating land limitation and crop suitability evaluation framework of FAO. Soil properties (e.g. texture, pH, organic carbon; SOC, electrical conductivity; EC and available macronutrients- NPK) were obtained through extensive grid based (size: 1 km by 1 km) soil sampling and estimation in the laboratory following standard procedures. Geo-statistical and visualization methods were applied to match the suitability for selected crops based on their essential soil quality requirements. The weights of the soil parameters have been assigned through PCA analysis, based on the relative importance of soil properties sensitive to crop specific growth and development. The inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation and reclassification methods were adopted for generation of spatial layers of those soil properties. Results revealed that, nearly 61% of the geographical area (14618 ha GA) of the Island is under agricultural landuse (AL), mostly dominated by lowland rice-fallow based mono-cropping system (76% of AL) followed by rice-rice double cropping (in 14.8% AL). Soil suitability analysis for growing winter crops within agricultural area revealed that 38.4% (5607 ha) of AL is highly suitable (S1) for sunflower, 11.9% of AL (1739 ha) for chilli, 6.8% (987 ha) of AL for potato and only 1% (150 ha) of AL is considered to be highly suitable for mustard crop cultivation. However, the predominant fine textured soils of the Island falls under moderately suitable (S2) category for growing chilli (85.1% of AL), mustard (64.6% of AL), sunflower (55.7% of AL) and potato (53.0% of AL) crops. More than one third of the soils within the agricultural landuse were found not optimum for growing potato, sunflower and mustard. Findings from the study can be harnessed in increasing crop area diversification and intensification with appropriate irrigation and crop management practices in Sagar Island and similar such coastal Islands.

Characterization, classification and soil site suitability of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) growing soil of Latur district Maharashtra

The soil of the study area under pomegranate were very shallow to very deep, reddish brown (5 YR 4/4) to dark grayish brown in colour (10 YR 4/2), clay to sandy loam in texture and granular to angular blocky in structure. The bulk density of the studied soils varied from 1.55 to 1.88 Mgm-3. Plant available water capacity (PAWC) varied from 68.34 to 380.52 mm. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil varied from 3.27 to 23.71 cm hr-1. Soil reaction under study area was slightly to strongly alkaline (pH ranged from 7.58 to 8.92) in nature, electrical conductivity of the soil is < 1.0 dSm-1, organic carbon content very low to high (0.37 to 0.84 percent) and calcareous in nature (4.2 to 15.26%). The maximum CEC was recorded in Typic Haplusterts was 53.26 to 69.78 cmol (P+) kg-1 as compared to Typic Haplusteps and Typic Ustorthent. Taxonomically, these soils of study area classified into Typic Haplusterts, Typic Haplusteps and Calcic Haplusteps. The yield of the pomegranates ranged between 10.86 to 27.10 t ha-1 in the study area. The highest yield was recorded in soils of Typic Haplusteps (Inceptisols) with soil depth less than 30 cm (P5). The fruit quality was increased with increasing amount of CaCO3 in these soils. Soil site suitability according to FAO 1983, the suitability of pomegranate on the basis of optimum yield level the soils of Typic Haplustepts were highly suitable whereas Calcic Haplustepts and Typic Ustorthents were moderately suitable and Typic Haplusterts were marginally suitable for pomegranate. This indicated that the Typic Haplustepts (Inceptisol) and Typic Ustorthents (Entisols) soils underlined by loose weathered basalt below 30 cm soil depth were found to be highly suitable (S1) for pomegranate cultivation followed by Calcic Haplustepts and Typic Haplusterts (Vertisols).

Soil-site suitability evaluation for millets cultivation in Tatrakallu village of Anantapuramu district of Andhrapradesh

A detailed soil survey was undertaken in Tatrakallu village, Anantapuramu district of Andhra Pradesh to evaluate the suitability of soils for millets namely sorghum, pearl millet, fox tail millet and little millets. The soil belongs to Inceptisols, Entisols, Vertisols and Alfisols orders. Fourteen soil series namely Tatrakallu-1 (TTK1), TTK2, TTK3, TTK4, TTK5, TTK6, TTK7, TTK8, TTK9, TTK10, TTK11, TTK12, TTK13 and TTK14 were identified based on soil depth, texture, color, coarse fragments and calcareousness were evaluated for soil-site suitability. The soil series viz., TTK1, TTK2, TTK4, TTK5, TTK6, TTK7, TTK8, TTK10 and TTK 14 were marginally suitable (S3) for growing millets namely sorghum, pearl millet, fox tail millet and little millets with limitations of wetness, soil fertility characteristics like organic carbon, pH and sodicity etc. whereas soil series such as TTK3, TTK9, TTK11, TTK12 and TTK13 were not suitable (N) for growing all the crops namely sorghum, pearl millet, fox tail millet and little millets crops with limitations of rooting depth, alkalinity, texture, slope, organic carbon, pH and gravelliness.

Application of Geo-spatial Techniques in Soil Suitability analysis for major crops of Nizamabad District, Telangana

The objective of land use planning is to make decisions on land use in such a way that the natural resources are put to the most beneficial use for man, while ensuring sustainability and conserving ecosystem. Each plant species requires specific soil-site conditions for its optimum growth. For rationalizing land use, the soil-site suitability for different crops needs to be determined. In the present investigation, soil-site suitability evaluation was carried out for paddy, maize, turmeric and mango crops of Nizamabad district of Telangana. The spatial database was generated using IRS-1D LISS-III satellite data. The spatial database and soil properties were integrated and analysed for the evaluation of suitability class of above crops using FAO guidelines in Geographical Information system (GIS) environment. The results indicated that out of total geographical area of 7,06,084 ha of the district 53.5 per cent area was moderately suitable to paddy, 50.6 per cent area was marginally suitable for maize, and 13.1 per cent was moderately suitable for turmeric, while 40.4 per cent of area was marginally suitable for mango.

Land Suitability Assessment using GIS for Davana (Artemisia pallens) Cultivation in Karnataka, India

Davana is one of the commercially important aromatic crops grown in Karnataka state, India. Agro-ecological conditions of davana growing areas of Karnataka state was characterized and evaluated. Soil parameters were correlated with herbage yield, oil content and its quality to establish soil-site suitability criteria. To identify the suitable zones for davana cultivation elsewhere in Karnataka, a GIS based agro-ecological evaluation was carried out by using soil resource information (121 soil mapping units on 1:250 K scale) of Karnataka state. Each mapping unit was evaluated by matching soil-site suitability criteria with climate and soil parameters to identify the suitable areas for davana cultivation. Around 45.2 lakh ha area is highly suitable, 65.3 lakh ha is moderately suitable, and 54.2 lakh ha is marginally suitable for davana cultivation. Highly and moderately suitable areas need to be focused for expansion of davana as a component of major cropping or farming systems and also to establish forward and backward linkages.

Soil-Site Suitability Evaluation for Commonly Growing Crops of Wardha District, Maharashtra

Soil-Site Suitability Evaluation for Commonly Growing Crops of Wardha District, Maharashtra