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Rajeshwar Malavath ¹, S. Mani ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural College and Research Institute, (TNAU) Coimbotre(T.N.), IN

Abstract

No Abstract

Keywords

Black soil, Soil quality, Physical, physico-chemical properties, Available nutrients, Correlation

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Rajeshwar Malavath ¹, S. Mani ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural College and Research Institute, (TNAU) Coimbotre(T.N.), IN
2 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural College and Research Institute, (TNAU) Coimbotre(T.N.), IN

Abstract

No Abstract

Keywords

Soil fertility, Nutrients availability, Physical, Physico chemical properties, Red laterite soils

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Rajeshwar Malavath ¹, S. Mani ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad (Telangana), IN
2 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (T.N.), IN

Abstract

The study was carried out in the three new research stations of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University with varied soil types viz., Maize Research Station, Vagarai of Dindigul district, Cotton Research Station, Veppanthatai of Perambalur district and Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Chettinad of Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu were selected for developing the strong soil resource database for proper appraisal of their productivity potential and their rational use. This study was an embodiment with an objective of land use options and crop suitability of some red soils, red laterite soils and black soils of semi arid region. Land capability classification was done based on the inherent soil characteristics, external land features and environmental factors. There are two land capability classes with five subclasses in the study area, viz., 'IIItsef', 'IIIswf', 'III swef', 'IVtsef' and 'IVtsdef'. The red soils of MRS, Vagarai were marginally suitable to highly suitable for cultivation of maize, greengram, sorghum, redgram and blackgram. The black soils of CRS, Veppanthattai were moderately suitable to highly suitable for cultivation of cotton, sorghum, soybean, greengram, blackgram, redgram, sunflower, sesamum, maize and pearlmillet. The red laterite soils of DARS, Chettinad were marginally suitable to moderately suitable for cultivation of groundnut, greengram, blackgram, redgram, horsegram and pearlmillet.

Keywords

Land use Options, Crop Suitability of Some Red Soils, Red Laterite Soils, Black Soils of Semi Arid Region.

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Rajeshwar Malavath ¹, S. Mani ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad (Telangana), IN
2 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (T.N.), IN

Abstract

The study was carried out in the new research station of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University at Cotton Research Station, Veppanthatai of Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu was selected for developing the strong soil resource database for proper appraisal of their productivity potential and their rational use. This study was an embodiment with an objective of characterization, classification and evaluation of some black cotton soils in semi arid tropical region of Tamil Nadu. The black soils of CRS, Veppanthattai were formed at nearly level to plain topography on granitic gneiss parent material mixed with calcareous murram. The soil colour varied from very dark gray to dark grayish brown under dry and moist condition, respectively. The soils were very deep. The textural class of fine earth fraction was clayey and had coarse strong angular blocky structure. The clay content ranged from 52.9 to 64.3 per cent. The silt content in most of the pedons showed an irregular trend with soil depth. The sand content varied from 19.7 to 30.1 per cent. Bulk density increased with increasing depth. The moisture retention at field capacity (33kpa), permanent wilting point (1500kpa) and available water capacity were high. The pH values ranged from moderately alkaline (8.48) to strongly alkaline (9.13). The electrical conductivity of the pedons ranged from 0.14to 0.72 dS m-1 indicating that these soils were non-saline in nature. The organic carbonstatus was medium (5.4 to 5.5 g kg^-1) in surface horizons, whereas, in subsurface horizons it was low and ranged from 0.70 to 4.6g kg^-1. The CaCO₃ content varied from 7.3 to 15.5 per cent. The cation exchange capacity of soils was high [44.6 to 48.8 c mol (p⁺) kg^-1]. The exchangeable bases were high and in the order of Ca²⁺ > Mg^-2 > Na⁺ > K⁺ on the exchange complex. Based on the morphology, physical, physico-chemical, and chemical properties of the soils, pedons were classified as per USDA soil taxonomy into orders Vertisols. The soils are very deep and ideal for cultivation of cotton, sorghum, soybean, greengram, blackgram, redgram, sunflower, sesamum, maize and pearlmillet.

Keywords

Genesis, Classification, Evaluation, Soil Characterization.

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Rajeshwar Malavath ¹, S. Mani ²

Affiliations
1 Acharya N.G Ranga Agricultural University, A.P Water Management Project, Agricultural Research Station., Garikapadu, KRISHNA (A.P.), IN
2 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, COIMBATORE (T.N.), IN

Abstract

The present study was carried out to estimate the available water capacity of 246 soil samples collected from red lateritic soils of Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Chettinad, native red soils and application of transported black soils over the red native soils of Maize Research Station, Vagarai and black soils of Cotton Research Station, Veppanthattai of Tamil Nadu. The soils were analyzed for field capacity at 1/3 bar (33kpa) pressure and permanent wilting point at 15 bar (1500kPa) pressure in pressure plate apparatus besides, organic carbon and particle size distribution (soil texture) in surface and subsurface soils. In red lateritic soils the moisture retention at field capacity ranged from 13.2 to 20.5 and 13.8 to22.5 per cent, at permanent wilting point ranged from 5.4 to 10.9 and 4.9-11.6 per cent and available water capacity (moisture retained between 1/3 bar and 15 bar pressure) varied from 4.3 to 13.3 and 4.9 to 13.7 per cent. The moisture retention of application of transported black soils over native red soils varied from 29.2-30.4 and 19.8-22.7 per cent, at permanent wilting capacity varied from 14.8-16.9 and 7.6-9.2 per cent and the available water capacity varied from 13.6-15.5 and 11.9-14.1 per cent. The moisture retention of native red soils at field capacity varied from 16.2-19.4 and 16.2-18.5 per cent, at permanent wilting capacity varied from 5.4-7.6 and 4.9-7.8 per cent and the available water capacity varied from 10.2-11.6 and 11.3-11.9 per cent. The moisture retention of black soils at field capacity ranged from 30.8 to 39.7 and 32.4 to 40.8 per cent, at permanent wilting point 15.3 per cent to 22.9 and 16.9-24.6 per cent. The available water capacity varied from 13.5 per cent to 18.5 and 13.8-18.4 per cent in both the surface and sub-surface soils, respectively. The sub-surface soils of transported black soils over native red soils have high moisture retention capacity than native sub-surface soils. The available water capacity and maximum water holding capacity in all the soils were in the order of black soils>transported black soils over the native red soils>red soils>red lateritic soils. The soil parameters viz., organic carbon, sand silt and clay significantly influenced the field capacity of soils. The transported black soils over native red soils is beneficial for retaining the more soil moisture for sustaining crop growth particularly in rainfed situations under changing climate.

Keywords

Water Retention Characteristics, Red Lateritic Soils, Red Soils, Transported Black Soils over the Red Soils, Black Soils Soil Texture, Pressure Membrane Apparatus.

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Rajeshwar Malavath ¹, S. Mani ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad (Telangana), IN
2 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (T.N.), IN

Abstract

The X-ray diffraction pattern of soil clay fraction of one red soil pedon from Maize Research Station, Vagarai of Dindigul district, one black soil pedon from Cotton Research Station, Veppanthatai (Perambalur district) and one red laterite soil from Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Chettinad of Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu was carried out to distinguish the distribution of clay minerals by using X-ray diffraction method and the mineral composition was assessed semiquantitatively. The black soil pedon revealed the dominance of smectite in association with small quantities of illite and kaolinite. The red soil pedon clay faction was "mixed" with smectite, illite and kaolinite type of clay minerals. The dominant clay mineral was kaolinite with small quantities of illite in red laterite soils pedon. The chemical composition of soils exhibited the siliceous nature with broad and large silica/sesquioxides and silica/alumina ratios. The wider ratios of SiO₂/R₂O₃ and SiO₂/Al₂O₃ (4.64 to 5.61 and 5.75 to 6.94) were found in the black soils pedon followed by red soils pedon (4.55 to 5.01 and 7.78 to 9.64), respectively where smectite and illite were the dominant clay minerals. The narrow silica/ sesquioxides and silica/alumina ratios (2.23 to 2.56 and 4.13 to 5.37) were found in red laterite soils where Kaolinite was dominant clay mineral in semi arid tropical region of Tamil Nadu.

Keywords

Black Soils, Red Soils, Red Laterite Soils, Clay Mineral, X-Ray Diffraction, Elemental Composition.

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Rajeshwar Malavath ¹, S. Mani ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad (Telangana), IN
2 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore (T.N.), IN

Abstract

Remote sensing with hyper spectral sensors can provide the fine resolution required for site-specific farming. The within-field spatial distribution of some soil properties was found by using multiple linear regressions to select the best combinations of wave bands, taken from among a full set of 512 narrow bands in the wavelength range of 350 to 1050 nm. The resulting regression equations made it possible to calculate the value of the soil property with a spatial resolution of 3.0 nm FWHM (Full Width Half Maximum). Both surface and subsurface samples of soil profile were taken from the three research stations. The soil samples were tested in a laboratory for 20 different properties. The per cent sand was found to be detectable with a reasonable degree of accuracy with R² = 0.851 for a three parameter model; the best combination of wavelengths was 426.81, 730.47 and 1037.7 nm. For silt, clay, field capacity, wilting point, Available water content, pH, electrical conductivity and CaCO₃ the results were ranges of degree of accuracy with R² from 0.609 to 826. The soil exchangeable properties such as Ca, Mg, Na and CEC, chemical composition such as SiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ R² values varied from 759 to 906. The poorest fit was for organic carbon with R² = 0.220 followed by Al₂O₃ (R² = 0.313). Available micronutrients (Fe and Mn) had R² 0.491 and 0490. For all the properties except organic carbon and Al₂O₃, the correlation was statistically significant. The main findings were that some soil properties can be accurately detected using hyper spectral remote sensing.

Keywords

Band Selection, Soil Profiles, Hyper Spectral Remote Sensing, Multiple Linear Regression, Soil Properties.

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Rajeshwar Malavath ¹, S. Mani ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad (A.P.), IN
2 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agriculture College and Research Institute (T.N.A.U.), Coimbatore (T. N.), IN

Abstract

A study on assessing the nutrient status of soils of Dryland Agricultural Research Station at Chettinad in Sivaganga District of Tamil Nadu was carried out to understand the relationship with various physico-chemical properties in surface and sub surface soil samples. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-15cm and 15-30cm and analyzed for available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, DTPA extractable iron, copper, zinc, manganese and hot water soluble boron. The available N, P, K, S, DTPA extractable Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe ranged from 123.0-209, 14.0-28.0, 126.0-319.0 kg ha^-1, 9.13-18.85, 0.10-3.52, 0.85-3.63, 24.02-49.21 and 8.9-22.38 mg kg^-1 in surface soils, respectively. Generally the soils were low in N, low to medium in available P and medium to high in available K and S in the surface soils. The surface soils were deficient in DTPA extractable Zn and hot water soluble boron, and adequate in available Cu, Fe, Mn. Hot water soluble (HWS) boron status ranged from 0.36-0.44mg kg^-1 in surface soils. The subsurface soils (15-30 cm) are low in available N, low in available P, low to medium in available K and S. The pH had significant positive correlation with EC, organic carbon and sulphur (r=0.239^*, 0.293^* and 0.241^*, respectively) and negatively correlated with CaCO₃ (r=-0.302^**). Though the pH had positive correlation with CEC, available P, Zn and Mn but not significant and showed negative correlation with available N, K, Fe and B. Other physiochemical properties of soil showed either negative or positive non-significant correlation with available nutrient status.

Keywords

Nutrients Availability, Soil Fertility, Red Lateritic Soils.

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Rajeshwar Malavath ¹, V. Ramulu ¹

Affiliations
1 Acharya N.G. Ranga University, A.P. Water Management Project, A.R.S. Garikapadu, Krishna (A.P.), IN

Abstract

On farm the field experiments on effect of soil amendments in relation to soil water retention capacity and soil fertility in maize were taken up in Alfisols of NSP left Canal Command Area during Kharif 2005 and Kharif 2006 at pilot area Ganapavaram of Nagarjuna sagar project left canal command under A.P. Water management project was funded by FAO. The trial was carried with the farmer's participatory mode to study the impact of application of tank silt and farm yard manure as soil amendments in relation to soil water retention capacity and soil fertility and on crop yield of maize. The six treatments consisted of 5t FYM/ha with RDF, 10t FYM/ha with RDF, 10t tank silt/ha with RDF, 20t tank silt/ha with RDF, 30t tank silt/ha with RDF and only RDF. Application of 10 t FYM + RDF and 10t of tank silt+ RDF recorded highest grain yield of 6000kg/h and 5500 kg/ha during Kharif, 2005 and application of 10 t FYM + RDF and 10t of tank silt + RDF recorded highest grain yield of 6100kg/hand 5400 kg/ha Kharif, 2006, respectively. Post harvest soil analysis revealed that the organic carbon content was high in 10 t FYM + RDF whereas the application of increased tank silt recorded increase in water holding capacity during the both the years.

Keywords

Soil Amendments, Soil Fertility, Maize, Canal Command.

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Rajeshwar Malavath ¹, S. Mani ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad (A.P.), IN
2 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agriculture College and Research Institute (T.N.A.U.), Coimbatore (T. N.), IN

Abstract

The study was carried out in the three new research stations of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University with varied soil types viz., Maize Research Station, Vagarai of Dindigul district, Cotton Research Station, Veppanthatai of Perambalur district and Dryland Agricultural Research Station, Chettinad of Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu were selected for developing the strong soil resource database for proper appraisal of their productivity potential and their rational use. This study was an embodiment with an objective of application of fertility capability classification system in some black soils, red and red laterite soils of Tamil Nadu. Four fertility capability units were identified in the study area. The conditions modifiers identified in the study area were 'd' dryness, 'v' high clay content, 'b' basic reaction, 'e' low CEC and 'i' P fixation. The condition modifier 'd' were dominated in its occurrence followed by the condition modifier 'e', 'b' and 'i'.

Keywords

Black Soil, Soil Fertility, Clayey, Loamy and Sandy.

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Rajeshwar Malavath ¹, S. Mani ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad (Telangana), IN
2 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural College and Research Institute (T.N.A.U.), Coimbatore (T.N.), IN

Abstract

The study was carried out in the three new research stations of TNAU with varied soil types with an objective to characterize and classify the some red, red laterite and black soils in semi arid tropical region of Tamil Nadu in relation to pedogenesis. The red soils were developed on weathered granite-gneiss parent material at gently sloping lands. The red laterite soils were developed on weathered granite-gneiss over laterite parent material at gently sloping lands to moderately steep sloping lands whereas the black soils were formed at nearly level or plain topography on granitic gneiss parent material mixed with calcareous murram. The red soils and red laterite soils are relatively more weathered than black soils. The red and red laterite soil colour varying from dark red to light reddish brown and dark reddish brown to light reddish brown, the black soils colour varying from very dark gray to dark grayish brown under dry and moist conditions, respectively. The soils are shallow (27 cm) to very deep (>170 cm). The surface horizons exhibited mostly medium fine granular to weak sub angular blocky structures whereas in subsurface horizons shown medium fine granular to medium strong sub angular blocky structures in red and red laterite soil pedons. The black soil pedons had coarse strong angular blocky structure. The textural class of fine earth fraction was clayey (52.9 to 64.3%) in black soils, whereas in red and red laterite soil pedons it was coarse textured gravelly sandy loam and sandy clay loam in the surface horizons and sandy loam, sandy clay loam and sandy clay in sub-surface horizons (54.5 to 73.7% sand and 16.5 to 40.9% clay). The silt content in most of the pedons showed an irregular trend with soil depth. Bulk density increased with increasing depth. The moisture retention at field capacity (33 kpa), permanent wilting point (1500 kpa) and available water capacity were high in black soils. Based on the morphology, physical, physico-chemical and chemical properties, the soils were classified as per USDA soil taxonomy into four orders viz., vertisols, alfisols, entisols and inceptisols.

Keywords

Genesis, Characterization, Classification, Red Soil, Red Laterite, Black Soils, Semi Arid Tropical Region.

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Rajeshwar Malavath ¹, B. Kranthi Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad (Telangana), IN

Abstract

Soil is a dynamic natural body that is essential to life; Water movement, water quality, land use, and vegetation productivity all have relationships with soil. Soil as a living dynamic system has been compared to human beings which is the basis and the soul of infinite life. Everything begins in the soil and finally ends in it. Soil is a purifier and acts as a scavenger. The importance of soil conservation, the need to conserve and preserve with respect to the soil has been elaborated in this article in relation to human kind on the way to give emphasis to protect soil to create healthy soil for healthy life.

Keywords

Soil, Soul, Perspectives, Dynamic, Inert, Dirt, Stimulus, System, Brain, Imprint, Mother Earth, Scavengers, Capacity, Responsibility, Forbearance, Karma, Conservation.

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Rajeshwar Malavath ¹, S. Mani ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, PJTSAU, Hyderabad (Telangana), IN
2 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural College and Research Institute (T.N.A.U.) Coimbatore (T. N.), IN

Abstract

The study was carried out in the three new research stations with varied soil types with an objective to develop a strong soil resource database for proper appraisal of their productivity potential and land use pattern by preparing thematic maps using GIS tools. The soils are shallow (27 cm) to very deep (>170 cm). The surface horizons exhibited mostly medium fine granular to weak sub angular blocky structures whereas in subsurface horizons have shown medium fine granular to medium strong sub angular blocky structures in red and red laterite soil pedons. The black soil pedons had coarse strong angular blocky structure. The textural class of fine earth fraction was clayey (52.9 to 64.3%) in black soils, whereas in red and red laterite soil pedons it was coarse textured gravelly sandy loam to sandy clay loam in the surface horizons, sandy loam, sandy clay loam and sandy clay in sub-surface horizons (54.5 to 73.7% sand and 16.5 to 40.9% clay). The moisture retention at field capacity (33 kpa), permanent wilting point (1500 kpa) and available water capacity were high in black soils. Thematic maps of three different Research Stations were prepared by employing GIS techniques for different classes viz.,on soil depth, gravelliness, bulk density, available water holding capacity, soil reaction, EC, soil organic carbon, CEC, BSP, available macro and micro nutrients status of surface soil classes were generated. The limitations in the soils of the study area were due to slope, shallow depth, soil erosion, gravelliness, low water holding capacity, low and high pH, calcareousness, low organic carbon, low CEC and low BSP and low availability of macro and micronutrients.

Keywords

Soil Resource Inventory, Land Suitability Evaluation, GIS Techniques, Red, Red Laterite, Black Soils, Semi Arid Tropical Region.

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