IMPACT OF LANDUSE SYSTEMS ON RUNOFF, SOIL AND NUTRIENT LOSSES IN Ga3a MICRO-WATERSHED IN DISTRICT SOLAN OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2013
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Impact of landuse systems on runoff, soil and nutrient losses in
Ga3a micro-watershed in district Solan of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out with a view to ascertain the
hydrological, physical and chemical properties, erodibility characteristics and soil and nutrient losses under
different landuse systems viz. Forest, Grassland, Orchard, Agriculture and Scrub. On the basis of detailed
survey and random sampling, representative soil samples from two depths i.e. 0.0-0.15 and 0.15-0.30
m were collected. Soils were evaluated for their hydraulic, physical and chemical properties and
erodibility indices under different landuse systems. Results revealed that the soils of Ga3a microwatershed
in district Solan (H.P.) registered slightly acidic to neutral reaction which is conducive for
availability of nutrients both from the native as well as from the applied sources. The soils were noted
coarser in texture with sand constituting the major fraction. Soils were characterized by high bulk
density, inadequate moisture retention and had low available water content. Among the studied
landuse systems, grass and forest landuse systems were found to have higher organic carbon. Fertility
status of the soils indicated that these were low in available N, medium to high in available P and
medium in available K status. According to the erodibility indices based on empirical equations i.e.
ER and EI, all the soils were found to be erodible, however, forest and grasslands were comparatively
less erodible and more stable. The results get further support from the findings of runoff plot studies
wherein total runoff was noted to the extent of 8.1, 9.6, 29.9, 38.5 and 35.8 ha m x 10-3 coupled with
soil loss of 0.06, 0.08, 0.55, 0.86 and 0.74 tonnes ha-1 under forest, grassland, orchard, agriculture and
scrub landuse systems, respectively. The soils under forest landuse system also registered minimum
nutrient losses, whereas maximum nutrient losses occurred in the agricultural landuse system. It may
concluded that perrenial vegetation comprising grasses, fruit and forest plantations protects the soils
against impact of falling rain drops, increase the interception and hold runoff water on soil surface for
longer time. Such impacts reduces the speed of surface runoff, binds the soil mechanically and
improves the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. The study further suggest that
there is an urgent need to put more and more area under agronomic measures to check the runoff, soil
erosion and nutrient losses. Furthermore, there is a need to adopt appropriate soil and water
conservation measures for controlling the runoff and nutrient losses, thus sustaining their productivity.