IAPRS & SIS, Vol.34, Part 7, “Resource and Environmental Monitoring”, Hyderabad, India, 2002 
  
LAND EVALUATION OF PART OF KANDAKUR MANDAL- RANGAREDDY DISTRICT 
(A.P) USING REMOTE SENSING. 
Mohd. Akhter Ali Ph.D scholar- dept., of Geography, Osmania university, 
e-mail mohdakhterali@yahoo.com 
Dr. S. Rama Krishna Associate Professor- dept., of Geography, Osmania university. 
KEY WORDS: Soil survey- Kandakur mandal- visual interpretation- Digital analysis- Satellite data-Ustorthents/Ustochrepts. 
ABSTRACT 
Soil survey and classification provide intimate knowledge of soil, with three dimensional, and establish environmental physiography, 
Geomorphologic and associated relationships. It forms basis for effective land use planning and also serves as a guideline for 
various agricultural developmental activities. 
Study area comprised of Basalt and Granite landscape with intrusus of Dolerite Dyke and Quartz Reef in the Granite Terrain. Based 
on the profile and site characteristics and the climate of the area, the soils were grouped under land capability class II to IV (65%) 
and VI to VIII (3596). Class II to IV lands is suitable for agriculture and horticulture where as 
VI to VIII is suitable for pastures, silvi pastures, and rain fed horticulture and forestry. 
Visual interpretation of Satellite data is a reliable technique for soil survey but for the limitation that the Ustorthents/ustochrepts 
developed at the crest portion of the inter flows of Granites terrain ares not separable due to poor tonal contract with adjacent 
Haphisltalfs and Chodustalfs. As against this, by digital analysis shallow eroded (Sheet erosion) Ustorthents could be separated 
from other soils. The effectiveness can however be quantified by comparing the output with a detailed soil survey map. 
INTRODUCTION: 
Soil survey and classification provide intimate knowledge of 
the soil, which is a three-dimension continuum geomorphologic 
and associated relationship. It forms a basis for effective 
landuse planning and also serves as a guideline for various 
agricultural developmental activities. From the past two 
decades, the strenuous and time consuming task of soil survey 
could be relatively simplified with higher outturn in unit time 
by using remote sensing techniques. 
Remote sensing is an effective tool to map the soil and land 
resources. A study of part of kandakur mandal and surrounding 
was undertaken to evaluate the land for their suitability and 
agriculture and other land use. The objective of this study was 
to map the soils of Kandakur mandal watershed and adjacent 
areas by visual interpretation using TM data at 1:50,000 scale 
and interpretation the land capability to plan the optional land 
utilization. It was also aimed to classify the soils through 
digital analysis and compare the output with visually 
interpreted map. 
Studies using various techniques of remote sensing applications 
were conducted by Venkataratnam (1981) revealed that the 
space borne data offered greater accuracy, economy and 
efficiency than the conventional method at reconnaissance level 
mapping. Rao (1988) concluded that Land-sat thematic mapper 
data is useful in soil resource mapping. Ravi shankar (1988) 
conducted soil survey of parts of Bijapur & Belgaum districts 
of Karnataka by visual interpretation technique using LISS-II 
data at 1:50,000 scales. Kudrat & Tiwari (1988) prepared the 
colour coded soil map of part of Doon valley through digital 
analysis using LISS-II data. An attempt is made in this study 
by visual interpretation technique using space borne data and 
also an attempt is made to map the soils through digital 
analysis. 
Study area: The study area, Kandakur Mandal of Ranga 
Reddy District, Andhra Pradesh is extending over 24,000 ha. 
The area lies between 17°0' to 17°8' North latitude and 18°20’ 
to 78°31' East longitude corned by Landsat TM scene with 
path-row no. 144-48. The area is semi-arid with average annual 
rainfall of 700 mm. 
Objective: The objective of the project was to map the soils of 
Kandakur Mandal watershed and adjacent area by visual 
interpretation using TM data at 1:50,000 scale and interpret the 
land capability to plan the optional land utilization. It was also 
aimed to classify the soils through digital analysis and compare 
the output with the visually interpreted map. 
Methodology: Standard FCC print of Landsat TM subscene at 
1:50,000 scale acquired on 18th March 1986 is used for 
identification of soil boundaries. After a field visits for 
reconnaissance survey of the area, different landforms and 
physiographic units were delineated. A tentative legend was 
developed and subsequently finalized duly correlating with 
ground truth. Soils under each mapping unit were classified as 
per soil taxonomy. Based on the morphological and site 
characteristics the land capability was interpreted. 
Digital data in the form of computer compatible tapes (CCT) 
were used for digital analysis on interactive multi spectral data 
analysis system (IMDAS). The data was displayed on the 
moving window of the system. Training sets (ground truth 
information) were marked on image. Individual colour was 
assigned to each class, which was defined in terms of mean 
vectors, covariance matrix, and these parameters was 
subsequently used by the maximum likelihood algorithms to 
classify the data points (pixels) of the scene. After going 
through the classified data, necessary modifications were made. 
Raw data of different band combinations and categorized data 
were recorded by filming on an optronics system. Suitability of 
different band combinations evaluated for different 
physiographic units are presented. 
760 
SE mb i, ue ax E eM 
(> mad tC —— rà P^ bu a