Quantitative analysis of productivity potebtial of soils of Baster districr in Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

In a experiment soils of 25 series of Bastar district in Madhya Pradesh were evaluated for their suitability following quantitative approach. Soil characteristics used were such as physiography, geology, drainage, slope, erosion, permeability, available water capacity, soil depth, colour, surface texture, mineralOgy, family (control section), land use, structure, coarse fragments, sand, Silt, clay. pH; CaCO₃' bulk density. organic matter, sum of cations, cation exchange capacity' and base saturation. The rating values for each property were grouped into (minimum) 0.5. 1.0. 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 (maximum). These values were calculated for each soil series considering these properties, and grouped in soil suitability classes. The proposed ratings for soil suitability classes for commonly cultivated crops under a set of climate and management practices are N₁ (<20) not suitable (permanently), N₂ (21>30) not suitable (temporarily), S₄(31>41), slightlY suitable; S₃ (41> 50), marginally suitable; S₂ (51>60), moderately suitable; S₂ (>61), highly. suitable soils. In this approach more parameters were used than used earlier and thus may provide more reliable and feasible results baving high, correlation with soil taxonomy. The soils were grouped into proposed soil suitability classes. The suitability of soil are: S₄,' Ghota (Lighic Ustorthents); S₃, Pichekatta (Lithic Ustorthents), Joba (Lithic Ustorthents). Pratapur (Typic Paleustalfs), Neghur (Udic Rhodustalfs), Pujarikanker (Lithic Hapluslolls), Deori (Typic Ustropepts) and Narharpur (Typic Haplustalfs); S₂,. Chaugel (Plinthustalfs), Durgkondal (Typic Haplustalfs). Korogaon (Udic Haplustalfs), Ghatti (Vertic Haplustalfs). Kanhargaon (plinthustalfs), Mero (Aquic Vertic Plinthaqualfs) and
1,. Chichgaon (Typic Haplusterts). Bogar (Typic Haplustalfs), Kheregaon (Udic Haplustalfs), Basala (Plinthustalf), Pataud (Vertic Haplustalfs). Sambalpur (Typic Haplusterts). Dantewada(Udic Haplustalfs) and khandi (Vertic Ustropepts).