Soil Suitability for Crops: 
Based on the available information on site and soil 
characteristics (Table 2), criteria have been developed to carry 
out an evaluation of the identified soil series for the important 
crops grown in the village (both rainfed and irrigated). The 
major crops chosen for study were cotton, pigeonpea, sorghum, 
soybean and banana. The important soil criteria like soil depth, 
texture, available water capacity (AWC), organic matter 
content, calcium carbonate (CaCO4), electrical conductivity, 
soil reaction (pH), cation exchange capacity (CEC), 
exchangeable sodium percentage, drainage, slope, etc. (Table 2) 
were considered for working out the suitability of soils. The 
information on present land use and management practices 
followed by farmers, recommended management practices, etc. 
has also been used. Areas, which have been rated as unsuitable 
for crop production, have been evaluated for alternative land 
uses like pasture, agri-horticultural, silvi-pasture, forestry, etc. 
The salient site and soil characteristics were compared vis-à-vis 
crop requirements to work out the degree of limitations for 
major crops corresponding to each soil series. 
Based upon the criteria discussed above, all the five soil series 
were classified for their overall suitability for cotton, 
pigeonpea, sorghum, soybean and banana and the prevailing 
limitations were indicated (Table 3). Deep to very deep 
soils(Typic Haplusterts) occurring on nearly level to very 
gently sloping lands were evaluated as highly suitable (S1) for 
majority of crops, while moderately deep soils (Typic 
Haplustepts) on gently sloping lands were evaluated as 
moderately suitable (S2). Shallow soils (Typic & Lithic 
Ustorthents) on escarp slopes and undulating lands were 
evaluated as marginally suitable (S3) or currently not suitable 
(N1) depending upon the severity of site and soil characteristics 
vis-à-vis crop requirements. The delineations were also made 
to show the spatial distribution of various suitability classes for 
each crop. The areal extent of soils of Hingni village under 
different suitability classes is given in table 4. 
CONCLUSIONS 
Soils of Hingni village may optimally be exploited according to 
their capability, irrigability and crop suitability classes by 
considering their potential and limitation. This may lead to an 
increase in crop yield by 15-20 per cent. For advocating proper 
management practices, soil and water conservation measures, 
systematic planning may be worked out in consultation with 
village agricultural officers. Besides, emphasis may be given to 
judicious use of manures and fertilizers. The land which are not 
suitable for arable purposes, in any way, should be put under 
agri-horticulture, silvi-pasture and forestry. Village Agricultural 
Officers should be made aware of suitability of these soils for 
different crops and other alternate land uses. 
REFERENCES 
Black, C.A. (Eds.), 1965. Methods of soil analysis. Part 1. Am. 
Soc. Agron., Wisconsin, USA. : 
FAO, 1976. A framework for land evaluation. Soils Bull. 32. 
Lindsay, W.L. and Norvell, W.A., 1978. Development of 
DTPA soil test for zinc, iron, manganese and copper. Soil Sci. 
Soc. Am. J. (42) pp. 421-428. 
IAPRS & SIS, Vol.34, Part 7, “Resource and Environmental Monitoring”, Hyderabad, India, 2002 
NBSS&LUP, 1994. Proceedings of the National Meet on soil- 
site suitability criteria for different crops (Feb.7-8). National 
Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur, India. 
Soil Survey Division Staff, 1995. Soil Survey Manual, (Indian 
Print), USDA, Hb.18, U.S. Govt. Printing Office, Washington, 
D.C. 
Soil Survey Staff, 1998. Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 8" Edn. SMSS 
Technical Monograph No.6, USDA, U.S. Deptt. Agric, 
Washington, D.C. 
Syc, Tr.C, Van Ranst E. and Debaveye, J., 1993. Land 
Evaluation (Part I, II and III). Agricultural Publications No.7, 
General Administration and Development Co-operation, Place 
due Camp de Mars Sbte 57-1050 Brussels-Belgium. 
Walkley, A. and Black, LA., 1934. An examination of the 
Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter and a 
proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. 
Soil Sci. (37), pp. 29-38. 
    
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