Browsing by Author "Premachandran, P N"

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Evaluation and suitability rating of ten major soil series of the command area of Kallada Irrigation project
(Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Tavanur, 1992) Premachandran, P N; Aiyer, R S
The present study was undertaken covering the ten identified important soil series of the command area of Kallada Irrigation Project, with the objective of evaluating the soils based on their morphological and physico chemical characteristics. The soil series selected are Mannar, Adoor, Sooranad, Palamel, Mylom, Erath, Bharanikavu Kallada, Pooyappally and Kunnamkara. Profile pits were dug in the typical areas identified and the morphological features observed were recorded as per soil Survey Manual (1970). The salient features of the area in respect of location, physiography, drainage, vegetation and land use were also recorded. The physical and chemical properties of the soil samples collected were determined by standard analytical procedures. These soil series have been evaluated on the basis of land evaluation and rating of productivity parameters The productivity parameters considered in the present study include soil texture, depth, soil reaction, drainage, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, electrical conductivity, coarse fragments, slope and nutrient status. For each parameter, a range of scale is prepared, and numerical values assigned based on principles of land evaluation. Productivity of the soil has been calculated by multiplying the ratings of the individual parameters and expressed as percentage. The ten soil series selected for study have been classified as per the comprehensive soil classification system – Soil Taxonomy. Five soil series namely Kallada, Mannar, Erath, Pooyappally and Kunnamkara are grouped under Entisol. four series namely Bharanikavu, Palamel, Mylom and Sooranad under Inceptisol and Adoor series under Ultisol. The land capability classification of these soils shows that the Kallada soil series comes under class IIe, Sooranad, Mylom, Erath, Pooyappally and Kunnamkara series under class IIw, Palamel, Bharanikavu, major part of Adoor and a portion of Kallada under class IIIe and Mannar serious under class IIIsc. A portion of Adoor series is grouped under class IVe. The irrigability classification of these soils revealed that the Mannar series comes under class 2s, Kallada under class 2t, Sooranad, Mylom, Erath, Pooyappally and Kunnamkara under class 2d, Adoor, Palamel, Bharanikavu and a portion of Kallada series under class 3t. A portion of Adoor series in grouped under the irrigability class 4t. The productivity rating of these soil series gives the following results. The Kunnamkara soil series with a rating of 38.7 percent rank first for paddy. The study shows that the Earth soil series is the least productive for paddy. Coconut, tapioca and banana. The Palamel series having a rating of 31.4 percent, with good rating class is the most suitable for coconut. The kallada soil series ranks top both for tapioca and banana with rating of 27.6 and 38.8 percent respectively.
Land evaluation and suitability rating of the major soils of Onattukara region
(Department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1998) Premachandran, P N; Subramonia Iyer, M
The need for a scientific approach in inventorying and utilizing land resources most economically and efficiently is now universally accepted. Agricultural prosperity, to a great extent, depends on judicious use of soils and rational application of soils data. A reconnaissance soil survey of Onattukara region was undertaken to study the extent and distribution of the different soils for soil classification, land capability and irrigability classification and for subsequent land evaluation. The study reveals that Onattukara region extends over an area of 40,948 ha. The soil map showing the distribution of the identified twenty soil series has been prepared. The climatological data reveals that the soil moisture regime is , ustic and the soil temperature regime is isohyperthermic. The soils have been classified as per Soil Taxonomy (U.S. Soil Survey Staff, 1975) and Keys to Soil Taxonomy( U.S. Soil Survey Staff, 1994 and 1996). Ten series were classified under Entisols, SIX under Inceptisols, three under Ultisols and one under Alfisols. Based on the inherent soil characteristics and landscape features, the soils have been grouped into three land capability classes, nine capability subclasses and land capability map prepared. The soils were classified into five land irrigability classes, eight land irrigability subclasses and land irrigability map prepared. The soils were evaluated based on principles of land evaluation and rating of productivity parameters. The productivity rating of the soil propertIes agamst the productivity index for nee, coconut, sesamum ,cassava and banana were made and conclusions arrived at. Productivity rating shows that Kottakakam series is best suited for rice, Palamel, best for coconut and banana, Artuva and Mahadevikad, for sesamum and Palamel and Vallikunnam, for cassava. On the basis of the studies carried out, a land use is proposed for the twenty soil series of Onattukara region based on crop suitability ratings and crop suitability map prepared for the five crops taken for study. A proper soil survey interpretation provides information on soil potential, productivity and limitations in their sustained use. Soil survey information forms the major basis for land evaluation. A thorough knowledge of the potentialities and limitations of every piece of land is a prerequisite in its efficient utilization. A systematic survey is essential for the evaluation and classification of the soils based on their inherent soil characteristics, land capability, land irrigability and land suitability. A systematic survey and evaluation of the soils of Onattukara region was taken up to study, interpret, classify and to show their location and extent on base maps. It is hoped that the present study would open up avenues for further investigations on land evaluation, crop suitability and other management aspects for sustained use of soil resource data to the best advantage. This will also form the basis for microlevel planning for integrated and sustainable development of the region under Panchayat raj.