Wel Come

Vasantrao Naik Marathawada

Agricultural University, Parbhani.

Department of SSAC, College of Agriculture, Latur.

Seminar On

Evaluation of cotton growing soils of Maharashtra.

Presented ByMr. Mangesh Keshav Ghode

Reg. No. 2014 A/ 38 ML

Seminar InchargeDr. P. H. Vaidya

Asso. Prof. Department of SSAC, College of Agriculture, Latur.

Introduction Land evaluation provides information and recommendations for deciding 'Which crops to grow where' and related questions. Land evaluation is the selection of suitable land, and suitable cropping, irrigation and management alternatives that are physically and financially practicable and economically viable.

The main product of land evaluation investigations is a land classification that indicates the suitability of various kinds of land for specific land uses, usually depicted on maps with accompanying reports.

Some fields are suitable for cultivated crops, others may only be suitable for forestry or recreation.

A assesment of suitability of land for specified uses the assesment is made in turn of production, suitability input need to obtain that production called land evaluation ( Sehgal J. )

What do you mean by land evaluation ?

Significance of land evaluation1. Motivate the study of land evaluation, place it in the context

of land use planning, natural resources systems analysis, and applied research.

2. Present a detailed framework or methodology for performing physical and economic land evaluations.

3. Present the theoretical basis and practical considerations underlying the application of the methodology.

4. Present diverse analytical approaches which can be used to carry out phases of the land evaluation procedure, including expert judgment, statistical methods, dynamic simulation of the soil-plant-atmosphere system,spatial analysis with geographic information systems, and optimization under constraints.

Different methods of land evaluation

1) Qualitative land evaluation

I) Land capability classesII) Land

irrigability(Irrigation)

2) Quantitative land evaluation

I) Suitability ratingII) Land suitability class

1) Qualitative land evaluation

I ) Land capability classes : It is system of classification land according its capacity for particular land use. There are 8 classes

• Class I - very good for cultivation• Class II - Good for cultivation• Class III - Moderately good for cultivation• Class IV- Fairly good cultivation• Class V- Land not suitable for farming and suitable for

grazing• Class Vi - Well suitable for grazing• Class VII - Fairly well suitable• Class VIII - Not suitable for grazing

S1 Class S1 (Highly suitable) Land unit with nil. or up to 5 slight limitation

S2 Class S2 (Moderately suitable) Land units with more than 5 slight limitation and / or no more than two severe limitation

S3 Class S3 (Marginally suitableLand unit with more than 4 moderate limitation or/ and no more than two sever limitations.

N1 N1 (Currently not suitable) Land unit with more than 2 severe limitation that can be corrected.

N2 N2 (Unsuitable) Land units having very severe limitation that cannot be corrected

I) Soil Site Suitability rating

II) Land Suitability class : • FAO ( 1983) : In addition , the suitability classes

was also derived based on the actual yield as suggested by FAO ( 1983) This was based on the yield levels for the suitability classes as S1 > 80 %, S2 40 to 80 %, S3 20 to 40% and N< 20% .

• The yield reduction levels have been decided on the optimum yield of the crop. The optimum yield was calculated with the help at data collected from 9 farmer fields with similar management practices and the average of 3 to 6 commercial varieties grown in the soils.

Why soil evaluation is necessory ?

Land evaluation is method of assessing the potential of land for alternative uses. Proper identification of soil potential has been key issues in planning and development in agriculture.

Soil is a medium for plant growth and development that leads to crop productivity. Soil fertility is direct relation with the crop yields, provided other factors are in optimum level.

The performance of any crop, is largely depend on soil parameters such as depth, texture, drainage, etc.

Land possesses a definite set of capabilities and suitability’s for growing of different crops and each crops species requires definite soil and climatic condition for optimum growth.

The suitability of soils and economic viability are the two important aspects, which can guide the farmers in proper site selection and management of cotton, to bring down the cost of production.

Cotton, (Gossypium spp.) Is the most important fiber and cash crop not only of India but also of the entire world, grown widely in the tropical and sub- tropical areas. India is the second largest producer of cotton in the world .

In India, there are nine major cotton growing states which fall under three zones viz. The north zone (Punjab, Haryana And Rajasthan), the central zones (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat) and the southern zones(A.P., Karnataka and T.N.).

Cotton is a kharif crop which needs a soil with good water holding capacity and aeration and good drainage as it cannot withstand excess and waterlogging. The major group of soil for cotton are the alluvial soils, black soils and red sand loam.

These soils characterized by dark grey to black colour. These soils is also known as regur and black cotton soil as cotton is the main crop growing on these soils. Black soils are mainly formed from the Deccan basalt trap rocks.

But, cotton cultivation is closely related to deep black soils (regur). This soil belonging to the Vertisols order and Vertisols are chemically rich and capable of sustaining continuous cropping but deficient in micronutrients.

OBJECTIVE:

To know the morphological, physical and chemical characteristics of cotton growing soils of Maharashtra.

To know the classification of cotton growing soils of Maharashtra.

To evaluate the soil site suitability of cotton growing soils of Maharashtra for land use planning.

Morphological Characteristics of Cotton Growing Soils of Maharashtra

Table No 1. Morphological characteristics of representative pedon of Wardha district.

Horizons Depth(cm) Boundary Matrix

colour Texture Structure Consistency Pores Roots Effervesc

encePedon-1 Selsura: Fine, smectitic,(cal), hyperthermic,Typic Haplustepts

Ap 0-17 cs 10YR 3/2 c m2 sbk h, fi, sp f, m f, m --

Bw 17-38 cs 10YR 3/2 c m2 sbk vh, vfi, vsvp f, f f, f --

Pedon-2 Selsura:farmer field: Fine, smectitic,(Cal), hyperthemic, Typic HaplustertsAp 0-18 cs 10YR 3/2 c m1 sbk h, fi, sp f m, f, c es

Bw 18-41 cs 10YR 3/1 c m2sbk vh, vf, vs vp f, m vf, f es

Bss1 41-71 cs 10YR 3/1 c m3 abk vh, vf, vsvp f, c es

Bss2 71-110 ai 2.5YR 3/1 c m3 abk vh,--, vs, vp f c ev

Bss3 110-135 - 2.5YR 3/1 c - h -vsvp f f - ev

Wardha district Agarkar et al., 2005

Table No 2. Morphological characteristics of representative pedon of Marathwada region

Horizons Depth(cm) Boundary Matrix

colour Structure Consistency Effervescence

Pedon-1, Chandaj (Parbhani) (VERTISOLS)Ap 0-13 cs 10YR 3/2 m2sbk Sh, fr sp e-es

Bw1 13-28 gs 10YR 3/2.5 m2 sbk sh, fr , sp e

Bw2 28-45 gs 10YR3/2.5 m2sbk fr, sp eBss1 45-75 gs 10YR 3/3 m2sbk-abk fr, sp e

Bss2 75-108 as 10YR 3/3 m2abk fr, sp ePedon-2Khasgaon(Osmanabad) (VERTISOLS)Ap 0-14 cs 10YR 3/1.5 m2 abk fr,sp es

Bw1 14-30 cs 10YR 3/2 m2sbk fr,sp es

Bw2 30-53 cs 10YR 3/2 m2sbk fr,sp es

Bss1 53-77 10YR 3/2 m2sbk fr,sp esBss2 77-102 10YR3/3 fr,sp es-ev

Marathwada region Zade and Pal,2007

Table No 3. Morphological characteristics of representative pedon of Tungi watershed in Latur

Horizons Depth(cm) Boundary Matrix

colour Texture Structure Consistency Pores Roots Effervesc

enceHaregaon-VertisolsAp 0-18 cs 10YR 3/1 sic m1 sbk Sh, vsvp sh Vf, cf, e

Bw1 18-42 cs 10YR 2.5/1 sic m2 sbk h, vsvp vf, mff vf, mf, cf e

Bss1 42-66 CS 10YR2.5/1 sic m3abk h, vsvp Vf,mff Fm. cf eBss2 66-90 cs 10YR 2.5/1 sic m3abk h, vsvp Vf,mff Fm, cf e

Bss3 90-150 cs 10YR 2.5/1 sic - h, vsvp Vf,mff fm, cf eMasalga-InceptisolsAp 0-18 cs 10YR 3/3 sic m1 abk sh,vs, vp, Vfm, fm Vf, mf, cf ev

Bw1 18-39 cs 10YR 3/2 sic m2sbk h -vsvp Vfm, fm Vf, mf, cf ev

Ac 39-50 cs 10YR4/5 Si,c,l m1gr S, nsnp cm cf ev

M 50-75 10YR5/4 s gr S, nsnp cm cf ev

Bhorpal-EntisolsA 0-21 cs 10YR3/2 C m1sbk S,fr,ss,sp Vff,mf,m Vfm, fm ev

Tungi watershed,Latur Sayambar and Vaidya, 2014

Table No 4. Morphological characteristics of representative pedon of micro watershed in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra

Horizons Depth(cm) Boundary Matrix

colour Texture Structure Consistency Roots Effervesce

nce(Vertisols ) Belura watershed, Dist. AkolaAp1 0-18 cs 10YR 3/2 c m2 sbk Sh,fr,sp f,c e

Ap2 18-33 cs 10YR 3/2 c m2 sbk h, fi, sp f,c e

AB 33-55 gs 10YR 3/2 c m2sbk h,fi,sp f,c eBss1 55-80 gw 10YR 3/2 c m2abk h, fi,vsvp Vf, f e

Bss2 80-130 10YR 3/1 c m2abk h, , vsvp Vf, f ev(Inceptisols) Belura watershed, Dist. AkolaAp 0-20 cs 10YR 3/3 c m2abk Sh,fr, sssp f, f ev

Bw 20-34 cs 10YR 3/2 c m2sbk Sh,fr, sssp Vf,mf,cf es(Entisols ) Belura watershed, Dist. AkolaAp 0-15 cs 10YR3/2 scl m1sbk Sh,fr,ss,sp f, f ev

Belura watershed,Akola Gabhane et al.,2006

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF COTTON GROWING SOILS OF MAHARASHTRA

Table No 5. Physical characteristics of representative pedon of watershed in Vidarbha region

Horizons Depth(cm)

Particle size analysis(%)

Moisture retention(%) AWC (%)

Sand Silt Clay 33 kPa 1500 kPa

Kondhali: Fine, smectitic, hyperthermic(cal.)Typic HaplustertsAp 0-16 8.1 34.6 57.3 39.8 25.7 14.1Bw 16-56 6.1 33.1 60.8 45.7 29.0 16.7Bss1 56-90 8.2 34.0 57.8 42.9 26.2 16.7Bss2 90-121 13.5 35.9 50.63 42.2 25.3 16.9

Bss3 121-150 14.0 38.0 48.0 38.8 24.0 14.8Taroda: Fine, smectitic, hyperthermic(cal.) Typic Haplustepts

Ap 0-12 18.2 30.2 51.6 38.1 20.6 17.5Bw 12-31 15.2 30.2 54.6 35.2 20.8 14.4

Jamgarh: Clayey, smectitic, hyperthermic Typic Ustorthent

A 0-13 39.0 27.0 34.0 26.7 19.1 7.6Ac 13-24 31.1 19.7 49.2 34.9 26.1 8.8

Watershed , Vidarbha region Bante et al.

Table No 6. Physical characteristics of representative pedon of Saraswati watershed, Buldhana district

Horizons Depth(cm)

BD(Mg m-3)

Particle size analysis(%)

Moisture retention(%) AWC (%)

Sand Silt Clay 33 kPa 1500 kPa

Wadgaon: Very fine,smectitic, hyperthermic (calcareous)Typic Haplusterts (VERTISOLS)

Ap1 0-21 1.74 1.2 27.7 71.1 42.1 29.3 12.9

Ap2 21-50 1.83 1.5 30.9 67.6 42.7 29.9 12.8

AB 50-84 2.01 1.4 25.1 73.5 43.5 29.5 14.0

Bss1 84-120 1.80 1.5 25.4 73.1 43.0 29.0 14.0

Bss2 120-150 1.88 2.6 23.9 73.3 43.3 28.8 14.5Lonar:Clayey, smectitic, hyperthermic Vertic Haplustepts (INCEPTISOLS)

AP 0 -16 1.70 0.2 36.53 63.27 37.9 28.4 9.5

BW1 16-35 1.82 0.39 40.98 58.63 42.1 29.9 12.2Saraswati:Loamy, mixed,hyperthermic (calcareous) Lithic Ustorthents (ENTISOLS)

AP 0-20 1.45 6.08 51.00 42.92 19.2 11.4 7.8

Buldhana district Nagaraju et al.2013

Table No 7. Physical characteristics of representative pedon of tandulwani watershed in Nagpur district

Horizons Depth(cm)

BD(Mg m-3)

Particle size analysis(%)

Moisture retention(%) AWC (%)

Sand Silt Clay 33 kPa 1500 kPa

Tw-7: Very fine,smectitic(cal.) hyperthermic Typic Haplusterts (VERTISOLS)

Ap 0-12 1.6 7.1 29.9 62.9 5.2 33.2 17.0Bw1 12-30 1.7 5.9 28.8 65.3 47.6 33.4 14.2Bw2 30-53 1.6 5.5 23.7 70.8 51.9 36.3 15.6Bssk 53-80 1.5 9.3 22.8 67.8 49.4 35.6 13.8Bck1 80-100 1.6 22.4 27.9 49.6 42.5 29.6 12.9

Tw-6:Fine,smectitic(cal.)hyperthermic Vertic Haplustepts (INCEPTISOLS)

Ap 0-11 1.6 7.3 31.8 60.9 48.9 34.6 14.3

Bw 11-29 1.7 8.5 35.3 56.2 48.4 35.1 13.3

Bv 29-50 1.7 16.3 22.8 60.9 50.3 34.2 16.1

Bk 50-100 1.6 15.6 24.1 60.3 46.9 33.5 13.4Tw-5:Loamy,smectitic,hyprthermic, Lithic Ustorthent (ENTISOLS)

Ap 0-9 1.45 46.8 30.7 22.6 1.4 26.4 10.8

Tandulwani watershed, Nagpur district Nagaraju et al.2015

Table No 8. Physical characteristics of representative pedon of Marathwada region

Horizons Depth(cm)

BD(Mg m-3)

Particle size analysis(%)

Sand Silt Clay

Pedon-1, Chandaj (Parbhani)

Ap 0-13 1.3 1.5 34.6 63.9

Bw1 13-28 1.3 1.5 30.0 68.6

Bw2 28-45 1.4 1.1 29.4 69.6

Bss1 45-75 1.3 0.9 29.6 69.6

Bss2 75-108 1.3 0.8 29.1 70.1Pedon-2Khasgaon(Osmanabad)

Ap 0-14 1.3 6.8 34.5 58.7

Bw1 14-30 1.3 7.5 34.5 58.0

Bw2 30-53 1.3 6.7 31.3 62.0

Bss1 53-77 1.3 6.4 30.8 62.8

Bss2 77-102 1.3 5.8 34.1 60.1

Marathwada region Zade and Pal, 2005

Table No 9. Physical characteristics of representative pedon of Tungi watershed Latur district

Horizons Depth(cm)

BD(Mg m-3)

Particle size analysis(%)

Moisture retention(%) AWC (%)

Sand Silt Clay 33 kPa 1500 kPa

Haregaon-VertisolsAp 0-18 1.70 8.70 29.30 62.00 36.7 19.6 17.1Bw1 18-42 1.73 8.60 26.62 64.78 43.1 28.4 14.7Bss1 42-66 1.77 9.03 44.05 64.98 43.9 22.7 21.2Bss2 66-90 1.80 8.90 22.80 68.30 45.7 28.3 17.4Bss3 90-150 1.70 7.50 21.50 71.00 46.7 23.4 23.3Masalga-Inceptisols

Ap 0-18 1.45 4.14 48.96 46.90 46.2 25.2 21.0Bw1 18-39 1.49 4.05 48.91 47.04 47.7 20.8 22.3Ac 39-50 1.55 38.60 22.90 38.50 20.6 15.3 11.5M 50-75 1.40 48.75 13.25 38.00 20.6 9.2 11.4

Bhorpal-Entisols

A 0-21 1.60 20.96 48.87 30.17 24.6 11.9 12.7Ac 21-40 1.30 31.33 45.78 22.89 18.4 10.3 8.1

Buldhana district Nagaraju et al.

Chemical properties of cotton growing soils of Maharashtra

Table No 10. Chemical characteristics of Representative pedon of Taroda watershed in Vidarbha region

Horizons Depth(cm) pH EC

(dSm-1)OC(%)

CaCO3

(%)

CEC(cmol(P+)kg-

1)

Base saturation

(%)

Kondhali- – fine, smectitic, hyperthermic (calcareous) typic haplusterts .AP 0-16 7.9 0.18 0.48 3.5 60.5 95.0BW 16-56 7.9 0.15 1.34 6.7 60.4 100.7Bss1 56-90 8.1 0.14 0.26 12.1 60.7 91.5Bss2 90-121 8.2 0.15 0.26 12.5 59.8 92.6Bss3 121-150 8.3 0.16 0.30 9.3 59.7 93.6

Taroda series : fine, smectitic, hyperthermic( calcareous) typic HaplusteptsAP 0-12 8.0 0.24 0.50 5.2 60.4 98.7BW 12-31 8.2 0.16 0.43 10.1 60.5 108.6

Jamgarh; sereies Clayey,smectite,hyperthermic typic ustorthentsA 0-13 6.7 0.16 0.55 -- 44.2 85.2

AC 13-24 6.9 0.11 0.45 -- 42.8 96.1

Bante et al. 2012Taroda watershed, Vidarbha region

Table No 11. Chemical characteristics of representative pedon of Marathwada region of Maharashtra

Horizons Depth(cm) pH EC

(dSm-1)OC(%)

CaCO3

(%)

CEC(cmol(P+)kg-

1)

Vaijapur P1AP 0-15 7.8 0.739 5.26 7.8 56.1A 15-28 7.8 0.780 2.80 13.5 53.2

Aurangabad P9AP 0-13 8.1 0.255 5.46 4.5 51.8A 13-25 8.1 0.289 3.70 3.8 55.6

BW 25-45 8.2 0.370 2.34 9.2 49.3Hadgaon P15

AP 0-15 8.4 0.635 6.24 7.5 45.5A 15-40 8.7 0.4440 5.07 14.1 47.3

BW 40-65 8.4 0.591 3.51 7.8 66.2Bssk 65-105 8.5 0.600 1.95 18.9 38.2

Malode and Patil,2014Marathwada region

Table No 12. Chemical characteristics of representative pedon of Saraswati watershed in Buldhana district.

Horizons

Depth(cm) pH EC

(dSm-1)OC(%)

CaCO3

(%)

CEC(cmol(P+)kg-1)

Cations (cmol(P+)kg-1)

Base saturat

ion (%)

Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

Sum ofCation

s(cmol(P+)kg-1)

Chandaj (parbhani)AP 0-13 8.2 0.14 0.9 6.7 61.8 52.3 10.9 0.5 1.9 65.6 106.1

BW1 13-28 8.3 0.09 0.8 6.3 59.1 55.9 9.7 0.3 1.3 67.3 113.9BW2 28-45 8.3 0.10 0.8 6.5 57.5 54.9 10.6 0.3 1.1 67.0 116.6Bss1 45-75 8.2 0.11 0.8 6.8 50.6 54.2 12.1 0.3 1.0 67.7 133.7Bss2 75-108 8.3 0.13 0.7 6.7 56.8 51.9 14.1 0.4 1.2 67.6 119.1

Taroda series : fine, smectitic, hyperthermic( calcareous) typic HaplusteptsAP 0-14 8.4 0.14 1.0 8.6 64.5 37.8 18.9 1.9 0.6 59.2 90.6

BW1 14-30 8.4 0.15 0.9 9.8 70.8 37.7 20.8 2.8 0.7 62.1 87.7BW2 30-53 8.3 0.24 0.8 10.1 64.7 42.0 15.8 3.6 0.4 62.0 95.9Bss1 53-77 8.2 0.40 0.8 9.9 64.7 40.8 13.9 4.3 0.6 59.6 92.3Bss2 77-102 8.6 0.40 0.7 11.4 59.3 37.8 16.4 4.5 0.5 59.2 99.8Bss3 102-150 8.9 0.36 0.7 15.5 56.7 31.1 20.3 3.3 0.9 55.6 98.0

Nagaraju et al. 2013 Buldhana district

Table No 3. Chemical characteristics of representative pedon of Tungi watershed in Latur.

Horizons

Depth(cm) pH EC

(dSm-1)OC(%)

CaCO3

(%)

CEC(cmol(P+)kg-1)

Cations (cmol(P+)kg-1)

Base saturation (%)Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

Sum ofCations(cmol(P+)kg-1)

Haregaon-VertisolsAp 0-18 8.37 0.17 0.78 8.8 59.52 43.2 11.2 1.92 0.98 57.30 96.27

Bw1 18-42 8.50 0.12 0.46 11.4 63.52 37.6 18.0 3.24 0.73 59.57 93.78

Bss1 42-66 8.30 0.21 0.54 9.8 59.52 36.0 18.4 2.44 0.73 57.57 96.72

Bss2 66-90 7.00 0.19 0.31 6.7 62.74 35.0 20.8 2.97 0.70 59.47 94.78

Bss3 90-150 7.00 0.22 0.29 6.6 61.71 34.7 21.3 3.00 0.63 59.63 95.76

Masalga-InceptisolsAp 0-18 7.90 0.16 0.12 9.3 50.20 44.8 9.6 2.05 0.49 56.94 113.42

Bw1 18-39 7.90 0.13 0.45 8.3 47.30 41.6 6.8 2.17 0.34 44.79 94.69

Ac 39-50 8.16 0.19 0.39 13.7 36.62 24.8 6.4 1.56 0.24 33.00 90.11

M 50-75 8.00 0.13 0.28 14.5 36.70 22.4 9.2 1.26 0.31 33.17 90.38

Bhorpal-EntisolsAp 0-21 8.07 0.18 0.42 19.6 33.51 18.0 8.8 2.19 1.09 30.08 89.79

Tungi watershed, Latur Sayambar and Vaidya,2014

CLASSIFICATION OF COTTON GROWING SOILS OF MAHARASHTRA

Classification of representative pedons of Wardha district

Pedon

Order Sub order

Great group

Sub group Family

Pedon-1 Selsura: Fine, smectitic,(cal), hyperthermic,Typic Haplustepts

P1 Inceptisols Ustepts Haplustepts

Typic Haplustepts

Clayey, smectitic, hyperthemic

Pedon-2 Selsura:farmer field: Fine, smectitic,(Cal), hyperthemic, Typic HaplustertsP2 Vertisols Usterts Haplusterts Typic

HaplustertsFine,smectitic, hyperthemic

Wardha Agarkar et al.2005

Soil classification of representative pedon of Saraswati watershed in Buldhana district.

Pedon

Order Sub order

Great group

Sub group Family

Saraswati:Loamy, mixed,hyperthermic (calcareous) Lithic Ustorthents (ENTISOLS)

P1 Entisols Ustorthent

Typic Ustorthent Fine, Typic Ustorthent

Taroda: Fine, smectitic, hyperthermic(cal.) Typic HaplusteptsP2 Inceptis

olsUstepts Haplustep

tsTypic Haplustepts Very fine,Typic

HaplusteptsKondhali: Fine, smectitic, hyperthermic(cal.)Typic Haplusterts

P3 Vertisols Usterts Haplusterts

Typic Haplustepts Very fine, typic Haplusterts

Buldhana Nagaraju et al.,2013

SOIL SITE SUITABILITY FOR COTTON IN MAHARASHTRA

Table No 4. Degree and kind of major constraints, suitability and yield of Cotton of Tandulwani, Nagpur district

Pedon 

Contents

LGP Slope Dept

h

Coarse Fragme

nt

Texture

HC (Drainage)

PAWCCaCO3

ESP EC dSm-1 pH Suitabilit

y Class

Pedon 1 _ * **** ** ** -- -- _ _ -- S3

Pedon 2 _ _ ** * ** * * _ _ -- S2

Pedon 3 _ -- -- * ** * *** _ _ -- N1

Limitation-No; * Slight;/**Moderate; ***Severe; **** Very severe Optimum Yield: 25 qha-1

Tandulwani watershed, Nagpur Deshmukh et al.,2012.

Soil site characteristics representative pedon of Hingna tahsil, Nagpur district

Pedon Profile Slope(%) Erosion Runoff Drainage Surface stoniness(%)

Mohgaon-1 Entisols 1-3 Moderate Medium Well 3-15

Mohgaon-2 Entisols 3-8 Moderate Medium Some what excessive

15-40

Mohgaon-3 Entisols 30-50 Very sevsre Very rapid Excessive 15-40Mohgaon-4 Entisols 30-50 Severe Rapid Excessive 15-40Mohgaon-5 Entisols 1-3 Moderate Medium Well 15-40Mohgaon-6 Entisols 8-15 Severe Rapid Some what

excessive40-75

Mohgaon-7 Incetisols 1-3 Moderate Medium Mod. well <3

Mohgaon-8 Vertisols 1-3 Moderate Medium Mod. well <3

Mohgaon-9 Incetisols 0-1 Slight Medium Mod. well 3-15

Mohgaon-10

Incetisols 1-3 Slight Medium Mod. well 3-15

Mohgaon, Hingani tahsil Reddy et al.2004

Soil site suitability of representative pedon of Hingna Tahsil, Nagpur district

Pedon Suitability for cotton(Sys et al.,1993)

Entisols (Mohgaon-3) Not suitable

Inceptisols(Mohgaon-9) Moderately suitable

Vertisols(Mohgaon-8) Highly suitable

Soil site suitability for cotton of Belura watershed in Nagpur districtPedon Taxonomy Major limitations Suitability for

cotton(NBSS& LUP(1984)&Sys(1985)

P1 Very fine, Typic Haplusterts Erosion S2P2 Fine, Typic Ustorthents Shallow depth, erosion N1P3 Very fine, Typic Haplustepts Shallow depth, erosion S3P4 Very fine, Vertic Haplustepts Erosion S2P5 Fine, Typic Ustorthents Shallow depth, erosion N1P6 Fine, Typic Ustorthents Shallow depth, erosion N1P7 Very fine, Vertic Haplustepts Erosion S2P8 Very fine, Typic Haplusterts Erosion S2P9 Very fine, Vertic Haplustepts Erosion S2P10 Very fine, Typic Haplustepts Shallow depth, erosion S3P11 Very fine, Typic Haplustepts Shallow depth, erosion S3P12 Very fine, Vertic Haplustepts S2P13 Fine, Typic Ustorthents Shallow depth, erosion N1P14 Fine, Typic Ustorthents Shallow depth, erosion N1

Belura watershed, Akola Gabhane et al.,2006

Soil site suitability for cotton of representative pedon of Tandulwani watershed in Nagpur

Pedon Suitability class (Acc. Sys et al., 1993)

Limitation

ENTISOLS Not suitable Soil depth

INCEPTISOLS

Moderately to marginally suitable Soil texture and depth

VERTISOLS Moderately to marginally suitable CaCO3

Nagpur Deshmukh et al.,2012

Soil Site suitability for cotton of representative pedon of Taroda watershed in Vidarbha region

Pedon Suitability for cotton(Sys et al.,1993)

Degree of Limitation

Entisols (Jamgarh) Not suitable Depth, slope and erosion

Inceptisols(Taroda) Marginally suitable Depth and coarse Fragment

Vertisols(Kondhali) Highly suitable ---------

Taroda watershed, Vidarbha region Bante et al.,2012

CONCLUSIONS:

1. The cotton growing soils of Maharshtara soils were medium to very deep, dark

greyish brown (10YR2.5/1) to very dark brown (10YR 5/6) in colour, surface

was weak and sub-surface was sub-angular to angular blocky in structure.

2. Soils were clay in texture (37.8 to 73.5 %). The bulk density of these soils varies

from 1.27 to 1.78 Mg m-3, PAWC varies from 57.60 to 377.48 mm and saturated

hydraulic conductivity varies from 4.12 to 19.4 cm hr-1.

3. The soils are moderately to strongly alkaline in nature (7.25 to 8.53) the

electrical conductivity less than 1dSm-1. Low to moderate in organic carbon

(0.24 to 0.76) whereas low to high calcium carbonate content (0.5 to 14.5%) and

high in cation exchange capacity (26.24 to 70.8cmol (P+) kg-1). The calcium was

the dominant cation fallowed by magnesium, sodium and potassium. The base

saturation percent is >90 percent.

4.Taxonomically these soils are classified as Typic Ustorthents, Typic Haplustepts and

Typic Haplusterts.

5.The yield of Cotton varied from 8.0 to 13. Kg ha-1. The maximum yield of cotton (8.5

to 14.5 Kgha-1) was recorded at Typic Haplusterts followed by Typic Haplustepts and

Typic Ustorthents.

6.The major limitation of Cotton growing soils of Maharashtra are Slope, Erosion,

Clay content , Soil Depth,CaCO3, etc .

7.The soil site suitability as per Sys et.al (1993) and FAO (1983) indicated that the

Typic Haplusterts soils are highly suitable (S1) for Cotton whereas Typic Haplustepts

soils are moderately suitable (S2) and Typic Ustorthent soils are Marginal suitable

(S3) to Currently not Suitable for Cotton.

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