An Asian Journal of Soil Science

H. P. Patel ¹, S. G. Savalia ², M. C. Chopada ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), IN
2 Directorate of Research, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), IN
3 Department of Agrometereology, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

A Case study was undertaken to attempt the assessment and management of underground water quality in different land slopes of calcareous soils (India). The underground water of open/tube wells situated at higher elevation have low pH, EC, water soluble Mg²⁺, Na⁺, CO₃^2-, HCO₃^-, Cl^-, SSP and SAR than in lower elevations. The SSP and SAR also increased with increase in EC and pH. The underground water from undulating upper pediment (typic ustothrents) as well as upper pediment (typic ustothrents) and lower pediment (Vertic Haplustepts) of calcareous soils were placed under safe class of C₂S₁ and C₃S₁, respectively. Whereas the alluvial plain (Calcic Haplustepts) and coastal plain (Fluventic Haplustepts) in doubtful class of C₄S₁ and C₄S₂, respectively. In general, underground water samples from different land slopes of calcareous soils were placed under C₃S₁ water quality class.

Keywords

Characterization, Assessment, Underground Water Quality, Calcareous Soils, Land Slopes, South Saurashtra, Gujarat.

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H. P. Patel ¹, S. G. Savalia ¹, M. C. Chopada ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

The five representative soil pedons were studied for characterization and evaluate for soil-site suitability for soybean in the soils of Meghal Irrigation Command area of Southern Saurashtra region in Gujarat. The soils of study area were moderately alkaline in reaction and highly calcareous in nature. The soils on higher altitude have low pH, EC, CEC and ESP than the soils on lower altitude. The soils over undulating upper pediment (Typic Ustorthents) and coastal plain (Fluventic Haplustepts) were placed in sustainable class S₂ whereas soils associated with upper pediment (Typic Ustothrents), lower pediment (Vertic Haplustepts) and alluvial plain (Calcic Haplustepts) were placed in sustainable with high input class S₃. The soils over Lower Pediment, alluvial plain and coastal plain were marginally suitable (S₃) whereas upper pediment were currently not suitable (N₁) for soybean cultivation. The soils over undulating upper pediment were not suitable (N₂) for soybean cultivation.

Keywords

Soil-Site Suitability, Soybean, Land Forms, Soil Sustainability, Limitations.

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H. P. Patel ¹, S. G. Savalia ¹, M. C. Chopada ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

The soil suistainability and soil site suitability for groundnut cultivation were elevated in different landforms of Meghal Irrigation Command area of Southern Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The soils were moderately alkaline in reaction and High CaCO₃ content. The pH, EC, CEC and ESP increased with decrease in elevation. The major soil constraints identified were shallow soil depth, poor soil fertility (Low O.C.), high pH as well as B.D., texture and low Sat. hydraulic conductivity. Out of five land forms, the soils over undulating upper pediment of Maliya Taluka and coastal plain of veraval Taluka of Junagadh district were in sustainable class (S₂). The soils over upper pediment belong to Typic Ustothrents as well as lower pediment belongs to Vertic Haplustepts of Maliya taluka of Junagadh district were marginally suitable (S₃) for groundnut. The soils over alluvial plain belongs to Calcic Haplustepts of Maliya Taluka as well as coastal plain belongs to Fluventic Haplustepts of Veraval Taluka of Junagadh district are currently not suitable (N₁) for groundnut cultivation. However, the soils over undulating upper pedment belongs to Typic Ustothrents of Maliya Taluka are not suitable (N₂) for groundnut cultivation.

Keywords

Soil-Site Suitability, Groundnut, Land Forms, Soil Sustainability, Limitations.

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S. G. Savalia ¹, B. P. Talavia ², S. P. Kachhadiya ³, J. D. Gundalia ²

Affiliations
1 Directorate of Research, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), IN
2 Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), IN
3 Department of Research, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, IN

Abstract

The relationship between physiography and the associated soils has been studied. Five physiography units, viz., hill slope, upper piedmont, lower piedmont, piedmont plain and coastal plain were identified in a transect over basaltic trap area. The soils over elevated topography (75-150m MSL) are shallow to moderately shallow excessively to well drained, dark yellowish brown to dark grayish brown, medium textured and exhibit poor profile development while those on lower topography (0-25m MSL), are deep to very deep, moderately well drained to poorly drained, dark brown to brown and fine textured and exhibit good profile development. The soils over moderately elevated topography (10-75m MSL) posses the intermediate characteristics between higher and lower elevated topography and moderate profile development. There was a gradual increase in EC, CaCO₃, CEC, exchangeable, water-soluble cations and SAR of soils with the decrease in topographic levels. Soils occurring at higher altitude lack diagnostic horizon and were classified as Entisols. While those occurring on depositional landscapes have well developed diagnostic horizons and were classified as Inceptisols.

Keywords

Basaltic Trap Soils, Soil Physiography, Altitude, Elevation, Piedmont.

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S. G. Savalia ¹, S. P. Kachhadiya ², M. S. Solanki ², J. D. Gundalia ³

Affiliations
1 Directorate of Research, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), IN
2 Department of Research, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), IN
3 Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

An attempt is being made to assess the sustainability of calcareous soils in a transect over different basaltic trap landforms of southern Saurashtra of Gujarat. Comparing different indicators of soil sustainability with criteria and scoring, it is inferred that cumulative rating index (weighting factors) varied from 24.0 to 29.3 in the soils over different landforms. The soil sustainability of different landforms is in order of hill slope > piedmont plain > lower piedmont > upper piedmont > coastal plain. In general, the soils of southern Saurashtra are sustainable with high input class S₃ (weight factors 27.1) on account of major limitations like poor soil fertility (low O.C.), high pH as well as bulk density, low saturated hydraulic conductivity as well as soil depth and fine texture. The soil management strategies in different landforms are also discussed in the text.

Keywords

Assessment, Basaltic Trap, Calcareous Soils and Indicators, Landforms, Soil Sustainability.

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