M.S.S. Nagaraju

High resolution remote sensing, GPS and GIS in soil resource mapping and characterization- A Review

Timely and reliable information on soils with respect to their nature, extent, spatial distribution is very crucial for optimal utilization of available natural resources on a sustained basis. The technological advances in the field of remote sensing, Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) have augmented the efficiency of soil survey. The management of resources on sustainable basis emphasis the overall development of the region without diminishing the environment. The integrated use of advanced computer technologies with database can be used to assist decision makers for future plans. Yet, so far most of the studies have been performed on a small scale and only few on regional or larger map scale. Although progress has been made from earlier, current methods and techniques still bear potential to further explore the full range of spectral, spatial and temporal of high resolution satellites in soil resource mapping and characterization. Precisely, the present article, aims to review the status on the applications of high resolution remote sensing data like IRS-P6 LISS IV, PAN, Cartosat-I, IKONOS, GPS and GIS in soil resource inventory and characterization at large scale for the micro level agricultural planning.

Mapping of spatial variability in soil properties for site-specific nutrient management of Nagpur Mandarin in Central India

The paper discusses the mapping of spatial variability in soil properties of Nagpur Mandrin growing areas in central India for site-specific nutrient management. Contiguous area of Nagpur mandarin orchards was identified using Cartosat-1-sharpened IRS-P6 LISS-IV data followed by ground truth. Soil samples were collected from 0–20 and 20–40 cm in a grid design (200 × 200 m) using Global Positioning System and analyzed for particle-size, bulk density, moisture retention at-33 kPa, and-1500 kPa, pH, organic carbon, calcium carbonate, available N, P and K and micronutrient cations. The GIS aided kriged thematic maps showed spatial variation in soil properties and soil fertility parameters. The cadastral maps overlaid on kriged thematic soil maps precisely indicated the areas having soil related constraints for site-specific nutrient management to improve the productivity of Nagpur mandarin in central India.

Status of Available Micronutrient Cations and their Relationship with Soil Properties in Nagpur District, Maharashtra

Two hundred surface soil samples representing different soil series and associated soils from different tehsils of Nagpur district were collected and analyzed for relevant physical, chemical soil properties and DTPA-extractable micronutrients. The results revealed that soils were sufficient in DTPA-extractable micronutrient cations except zinc which was found deficient in nearly 62% of the samples. Pearson correlation coefficients indicated positive correlation of DTPA-extractable micronutrient cations with organic carbon and negative correlation with pH, EC, CaCO3, CEC, base saturation and clay content. Based on soil nutrient indexing approach, different tehsils of Nagpur district were classified under adequate, marginal and deficient zones of available micronutrients for soil fertility management.