SOIL LOSS ESTIMATION IN EXPERIMENTAL ORCHARD AT NAUNIIN SOLAN DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2016
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ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Soil Loss Estimation in Experimental Orchard at Nauni in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out with a view to ascertain the physical, chemical and hydraulic properties, erodibility characteristics under various land use and sediment and nutrient losses in orchard land use. Accordingly, eight representative soil samples from two different depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm were collected from three different land uses thus making the total number of samples 24. Soil samples were analysed for physical, chemical, hydraulic and erodibility characteristics. Runoff studies were carried out to estimate soil and nutrient losses from orchard land use. Results revealed that the soils of the area were neutral to slightly acidic in reaction which is conducive for availability of nutrients both from the native as well as from the applied sources. The dominant soil texture was observed as gravely loam soils. The soils were characterized by high bulk density, inadequate moisture retention and slow to moderate hydraulic conductivity. The fertility status of soils indicated that these were low to medium in available N, high in available P and medium in available K. Soils in all plots were found erodible in nature according to values of erodibility indices. The values of rainfall erosivity index (RUSLE), soil erodibility factor (KUSLE), topographic factor (LSUSLE), crop cover & management factor (CUSLE) and conservation practice factor (PUSLE) were found to be 109.62 MJ ha-1 cm hr-1, 0.41 t ha-1 ha h MJ-1 cm-1, 0.45, 0.10 and 0.60, respectively for the study area. The seasonal soil loss estimated by USLE model was found to be 1.21 t ha-1 against the observed value of 1.11 t ha-1. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of USLE model ascertains a close relationship between observed and soil loss estimated by USLE. Total nutrient losses i.e. total nitrate nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium were estimated 76.03 kg haˉ1, 14.86 kg haˉ1 and 45.87 kg haˉ1, respectively. The soil loss was found in low range. Hence, the study further suggests that there is a need to adopt appropriate soil and water conservation measures for controlling the runoff and nutrient losses, thus sustaining the productivity of the area.
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marketing, physical control, profit, capital, markets, cooperation, manpower, productivity, fixed capital, biological development, Soil Loss Estimation,Experimental Orchard, H P