Assessment of Land Resources and Soil Fertility Constraints in Kavalur-1 Micro-Watershed of Koppal District, Karnataka
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Date
2016-07
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University of Agricultural Science, Dharwad
Abstract
A study was undertaken to assess the land resources and soil fertility constraints in Kavalur-1 micro-watershed of Koppal district, during the period of march 2016. The soil survey was conducted using satellite imagery (IRS P6 LISS-IV), cadastral map and toposheet. Eighteen soil pedons representing various landforms and land heterogeneity were studied for their morphological, physical and chemical properties. Sixty nine grid soil samples (0-20 cm) were drawn from micro-watershed with an interval of 250 x 250 m using GPS and analyzed for their physico-chemical properties and fertility status. The soils were deep to very deep and varied in colour from 2.5 YR 4/4 (reddish brown) to 10 YR 4/2 (dark grayish brown). Soil texture varied from sandy clay loam to clay. The average maximum water holding capacity of red soil pedons was considerably lower (38.0 %) than that of black soil pedons (45.7 %). The exchangeable bases were in the order of Ca2+> Mg2+ >Na+ > K+. The mean per cent base saturation of black soils was higher than that of red soil pedons. The free CaCO3 content in the surface horizon was generally low except in pedons 4 and 5. The soils were classified up to family level. The soils were neutral to moderately alkaline in reaction and non-saline. The soils were low in available nitrogen, low to medium in available phosphorus and sulphur, and medium to high in available potassium. Among the micronutrients, iron, copper and manganese were sufficient while, zinc was sufficient. The soils belonged to land capability class III and IV with limitations of climate, texture and soil properties. The soils were dominantly moderately suitable for pearl millet, sorghum, wheat, sunflower, mango, guava, pomegranate, rose and jasmine. Maize, soybean, chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, castor, cotton, chilli, coconut and sapota were dominantly marginally suitable in the study area.