IAPRS & SIS, Vol.34, Part 7, “Resource and Environmental Monitoring”, Hyderabad, India, 2002
Fig.3. Soils of Bilaspur district.
Table 1. Subgroup of soils of Bilaspur
Soil subgroup Area (Sq.km.) Area (%
TGA)*
Typic Haplustalfs 2300.12 24.67
Typic Rodustalfs 1.68 0.02
Lithic Ustorthents 16.27 0.17
Typic Ustorthents 1225.32 13.14
Typic Haplustepts 907.43 9.73
Udic Haplustepts 87.88 0.94
Vertic Haplustepts 921.36 9.88
Chromic Haplustepts 2701.24 28.97
Typic Haplusterts 1162.68 12.47
* Total Geographical Area.
Soil Depth
Soil depth is an important parameter. It helps to store and
regulate plant nutrients and water. Various depth classes (Fig.4)
show that 12 per cent of area of the district is covered by
extremely shallow to shallow (25-49 cm) soils, which are in
association with hummocky landforms. Only 3 per cent area is
under slightly deep to moderately deep (75-100 cm) and deep
soils (more than 100 cm) are occupying nearly 83 percent of the
TGA. These soils are in association with levél to gently sloping
lands and moderately plain regions.
Bilaspur District
SOIL DEPTH
ce
5 0 15 km
Legend
= EN Extreamly shallow
© [Z7 Very shallow
e [—] Shallow
a ^f. [— ) Slightly deep
4 % Moderately deep
Ka m CY Deep
I
@ District Headquarter
€ Tahsil Headquarter
— District boundary
— River
State Highway
—— National Highway
—— Railway Line
Fig.4. Soil depth map of Bilaspur district.
Particle Size Class
Texture plays an important role in crop production from the
initial state of sowing to the stage of maturity of crops. It
mainly controls soil water retention and availability,
workability of soil, infiltration and drainage conditions. Four
major textural groups identified are fine, loamy skeletal, loamy
and fine loamy. The particle size class distribution of the soils
in the district indicates that 54 per cent of the area is covered by
748
fine textured soils (Fig.5). The loamy -skeletal soils are
occupied nearly 13 per cent and fine loamy soils covered by 33
per cent of the TGA.
Bilaspur District +
PARTICLE SIZE
Sn
3 Legend
P3 Fine
9 [7] Loamy-skeletal
oF % EXE] :
"i, %, [J Fine-loamy
A
= ;
Reference
District Headquarter
. Tahsil Headquarter
— District boundary
River
State Highway
— National Highway
—— Railway Line
Fig.5. Particle size map of Bilaspur district.
Erosion
Erosion is considered to be one of the major contributors in
land degradation in India. Spatial nature of the erosivity of an
area allows one to take suitable measures for conservation.
Analysis shows that very severe and severe erosion occurs in
19.9 and 12.2 per cent of the TGA of the district. These lands
are mainly associated with upper parts of hummocky
landforms. However, the major parts of the district suffer from
moderate erosional hazard (67.7 per cent of TGA).
Soil pH
Soil reaction is also an important factor in crop growth. It
governs the uptake of the nutrients held in exchange site of soil
colloids. The pH status of the soils (Fig.6) of the district
indicates that 13 per cent is under moderately acidic, 41 per
cent under slightly acidic, 9 per cent under neutral and 37 per
cent under slightly alkaline conditions.
Bilaspur District
SOIL REACTION (pH)
EET EE Bn
e Legend
e J Moderately acidic
p. 4 [ Slightiy acidic
4 % [ Neutral
AY - INN Slightly alkaline
Reference
e District Headquarter|
+ Tahsil Headquarter
District boundary
River
State Highway
National Highway
— Railway Line
Fig.6. Soil reaction map of Bilaspur district.
peus A b
tn mmi
Ir
Ir
