Land evaluation and suitability rating of the major soils of Onattukara region

Abstract

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.