CHARACTERIZATION, CLASSIFICATION AND EVALUATION OF SOILS OF MAHANANDI MANDAL OF KURNOOL DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH
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Date
2017
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Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University
Abstract
luation of soils in Mahanandi mandal of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh.
Ten representative pedons were selected in ten different locations of the study
area covering all types of soils. All the ten pedons were described for their
morphological features in field and horizon-wise samples were collected and
analyzed in the laboratory for physical, physico-chemical and chemical properties.
The study area was characterized by semi-arid monsoonic climate with
distinct summer, winter and rainy seasons. The pedons selected were confined
to plains and gently sloping topography. Pedons 1, 2, 6 7, 8, 9 and 10 were
developed from granite – gneiss whereas pedons 3, 4, and 5 were originated
from limestone.
The morphological features indicated the presence of AC (Pedons 3 and
5) and ABC (Pedons 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10) profiles. The soils were deep to
very deep in depth, black to brown in colour, loamy sand to clay loam in
texture and had sub-angular blocky, angular blocky and single grain structure.
The clay content in pedons 2 and 4 showed an increasing trend with
depth. However, no specific trend with depth was observed in the remaining
pedons. Physical constants like water holding capacity and volume expansion
followed the trend of clay content. Most of the pedons exhibited an irregular
trend in bulk density with depth.
xiv
All the pedons were neutral to moderately alkaline in reaction, nonsaline
and low to medium in organic carbon content. All these pedons were low
to high in CaCO3 status. CEC values were low to high. The exchange complex
was dominated by Ca2+ followed by Mg2+, Na+
and K+
.
Regarding the fertility status, the soil samples were low to medium in
available nitrogen, low to high in available phosphorus, high in potassium and
deficient to sufficient in available sulphur. As far as DTPA extractable
micronutrients are concerned, the available iron, zinc, copper and manganese
were deficient to sufficient.
Soil fertility maps were also prepared for Agricultural college farm,
Mahanandi for various parameters such as pH, EC, organic carbon, available
macronutrients (N, P, K and S) and micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn) under
GIS environment using ArcGIS. Similarly soil map and land capability maps
were also prepared for the above farm.
Based on morphological, physical, physico-chemical, mineralogical and
meteorological data the soils of Mahanandi mandal were classified as:
Pedon 1 : Fine-loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Fluventic Haplustept
Pedon 2 : Fine-loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Fluventic Haplustept
Pedon 3 : Sandy, siliceous, isohyperthermic, Typic Ustorthent
Pedon 4 : Fine-loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Fluventic Haplustept
Pedon 5 : Fine-loamy, siliceous, isohyperthermic, Typic Ustorthent
Pedon 6 : Fine-loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Fluventic Haplustept
Pedon 7 : Fine-loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Vertic Haplustept
Pedon 8 : Fine-loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Fluventic Haplustept
Pedon 9 : Fine-loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Fluventic Haplustept
Pedon 10 : Fine-loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Fluventic Haplustept
Based on the soil properties, the soils of the Mahanandi mandal have
been classified into land capability classes and sub-classes viz., IIs (Pedons 1,
4, 9 and 10), IIe (Pedons 7 and 8), IIes (Pedon 2), IIIs (Pedon 6) and IIIes
(Pedons 3, 5).
The soil-site suitability evaluation revealed that pedons 6, 9 and 10 were
highly suitable (S1) for growing rice, groundnut, sorghum and redgram and
marginally suitable (S3) for sugarcane. Pedons 5 and 7 were highly suitable
(S1) for growing rice and moderately suitable (S2) for groundnut, sugarcane,
sorghum and redgram. Pedon 8 is highly suitable (S1) for growing rice,
sorghum and redgram and marginally suitable (S3) for growing groundnut.
Description
D5533
Keywords
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