Surendra Kumar Singh

Spatial distribution of soil physical properties of alluvial soils: a geostatistical approach

ABSTRACT Knowledge of spatial variation of soil is important in site-specific farming and environmental modeling. Soil particles size and water distribution are most important soil physical properties that governing nearly all of the other attributes of soils. The objectives of this study were to determine the degree of spatial variability of sand, silt and clay contents, and water content at field capacity (FC), permanent wilting point (PWP), and available water content (AWC) of alluvial floodplain soils. Data were analyzed both statistically and geostatistically to describe the spatial distribution of soil physical properties. Soil physical properties showed large variability with greatest variation was observed in sand content (68%). Exponential and spherical models were fit well for the soil physical properties. The nugget/sill ratio indicates except clay all other soil physical properties were moderate spatially dependent (37–70%). Cross-validation of the kriged map shows that prediction of the soil physical properties using semivariogram parameters is better than assuming mean of observed value for any unsampled location. The spatial distribution of water retention properties closely followed the distribution pattern of sand and clay contents. These maps will help to planner to develop the variable rate of irrigation (VRI) for the study area.

Pedogenic processes and soil–landform relationships for identification of yield-limiting soil properties

Knowledge of soil–landform relationships helps in understanding the dominant pedogenic processes causing variations in soil properties within and between landforms. In this study, we investigated how major pedogenic processes in three landform positions of the semi-arid Deccan Plateau (India) have led to current plant yield-limiting soil properties. For this, we characterised 26 pedons from three landforms – piedmont, alluvial plain and valley – and performed factor analysis on the dataset. As the frequency distribution of the dataset was highly skewed for most of the soil properties, landform-wise partition and log-transformation were performed before studying soil variability within landforms. Results indicated that two factors explained 56, 71 and 64% of variability in soil properties in piedmonts, alluvial plains and valleys, respectively. The major soils in lower piedmonts (Typic Haplustalfs and Typic Rhodustalfs) were spatially associated with Vertisols (Sodic Haplusterts) occurring in alluvial plains and valleys. The soil properties in alluvial plains and valleys (Vertic Haplustepts, Sodic Haplusterts and Typic Ustifluvents) were modified due to regressive pedogenic processes. These soils were characterised by high pH (8.5–9.8), exchangeable sodium percentage (16.5–46.6) and poor saturated hydraulic conductivity (<1cmh–1). Subsoil sodicity induced by the presence of pedogenic calcium carbonate impaired the hydraulic conductivity. Subsoil sodicity and poor saturated hydraulic conductivity were identified as major yield-limiting soil properties. The relationships found between specific soil properties, surface and subsurface horizons, and position in the landscape helped to determine the dominant pedogenic processes and how these influenced current soil properties and their effects on crop yield.

Semi-automated object-based landform classification modelling in a part of the Deccan Plateau of central India

ABSTRACT Landform mapping holds significance in governing boundary conditions for the underlying processes operative in the fields of natural resource management, yet the automation in recognizing landform occurrence remains difficult. Geospatial object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) technique has evolved as a promising tool for addressing the issue. Majority of the GEOBIA-based landform classification studies document generic approach. The present study undertaken in Katol Tehsil of Nagpur District, a part of Deccan Plateau of central India aims at knowledge-based modelling through a multi-scale mapping workflow comprising multi-resolution segmentation (input raster dataset of IRS-P6 LISS-IV image and Cartosat-1 digital terrain model), knowledge-based classification, and accuracy assessment against a reference landform map. Contour- and drainage-based relative topographic position zone is derived in a novel attempt. Finally, knowledge-based rules are framed using the primary terrain parameters of elevation, slope, profile curvature, and drainage for deriving final output. The results of landform classification indicate the dominance of erosive landform over depositional one; maximum area of 6244 ha being under pediment. An accuracy assessment exercise is carried out in a watershed occurring in the study area, which shows very good statistical agreements between modelled and reference landforms including partial detection. The key constraint of this knowledge-based modelling is its limited adaptability to only localized conditions. However, such kind of object-based and knowledge-based analyses have immense potential with the increasing availability of finer resolution remote-sensing data products that demand the alternative paths of deriving objects that are made up of several pixels.

Characterizing spatial variability of soil properties in alluvial soils of India using geostatistics and geographical information system

ABSTRACT Alluvial soils constitute significant portion of cultivated land in India and it contributes towards food grain production predominantly. The objectives of this study were to assess the spatial variability of soil pH, organic carbon (OC), available (mineralizable) nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K) and available zinc (Zn) of alluvial floodplain soils of Kadwa block, Katihar district, Bihar, India. A total of 85 soil samples, representative of the plough layer (0–25 cm depth from surface) were randomly collected from the study area. The values of soil pH, OC, N, P, K and Zn varied from4.4 to 8.4, 0.20% to 1.20%, 141 to 474, 2.2 to 68.2, 107 to 903 kg ha–1 and 0.22 to 1.10 mg kg–1, respectively. The coefficient of variation value was highest for available P (94.3%) and lowest for soil pH (11.3%). Spherical model was found to be the best fit for N, P and Zn contents, while exponential model was the best fit for OC, and Gaussian model was the best-fit model for pH and K. The nugget/sill ratio indicates that except pH and available K all other soil properties were moderately spatially dependent (25–57%). Soil properties exhibited different distribution pattern. It was observed that the use of geostatistical method could accurately generate the spatial variability maps of soil nutrients in alluvial soils.

Visible-Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy for Rapid Characterization of Salt-Affected Soil in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of Haryana, India

Management of salt-affected soils is a challenging task in the input intensive rice-wheat cropping zone of the Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP). Timely detection of salt-affected areas and assessment of the degree of severity are vital in order to narrow down the potential gap in yield. Conventional laboratory techniques of saturation extract electrical conductivity (ECe) and sodium adsorption ration (SAR) for soil salinity assessment are time-consuming and labour intensive; the VNIR (visible-near infrared) reflectance spectroscopy technique provides ample information on salinity and its attributes in an efficient and cost-effective way. This study aims to develop robust soil reflectance spectral models for rapid assessment of soil salinity in the salt affected areas of the IGP region of Haryana using VNIR reflectance spectroscopy. The results indicated that the spectral region between 1390 and 2400xa0nm was highly sensitive to measure changes in salinity. The developed hyperspectral models explained more than 80xa0% variability in ECe, and other salinity related attributes (saturated extract Na+, Ca2+ + Mg2+, Cl− and SAR) in the validation datasets. With the increasing availability of data from hyperspectral sensors in near future, the study will be very useful in real time monitoring of soils in the spatio-temporal context; enabling the farmers of IGP area to deal with salt degradation more effectively and efficiently.

Large-Scale Soil Resource Mapping Using IRS-P6 LISS-IV and Cartosat-1 DEM in Basaltic Terrain of Central India

In the present study, an attempt has been made to describe the technique for large-scale soil mapping using remote sensing data. Based on erosional and depositional processes, seven major landforms namely plateau top, scarp slopes, plateau spurs, pediment, undulating plain, valley and floodplain have been delineated using Cartosat-1 DEM (10xa0m), contour (10xa0m) and hillshade. Using two seasons high-resolution IRS-P6 LISS-IV data, six land use/land cover classes namely double crop, single crop, orchard, wasteland with and without scrub and degraded forest have been identified using visual interpretation. A detailed slope map has been generated from Cartosat-1 DEM and reclassified into seven classes. On the basis of landform, slope, land use/land cover and ground truth, 37 Physiography-Landuse Units (PLU) were identified and described. PLU-soil relationship was developed by correlating soil-site characteristics and physical and chemical properties of soils. Six soil series were identified in major landforms and soil map depicting phases of soil series was developed. The study revealed that the combined use of Cartosat-1 DEM (10xa0m) and high-resolution IRS-P6 LISS-IV data will be of immense help in identifying soil patterns for large-scale soil resource inventory useful for village-level agricultural planning.

Effect of nutrient management on soil organic carbon sequestration, fertility, and productivity under rice-wheat cropping system in semi-reclaimed sodic soils of North India

The ever shrinking agricultural land availability and the swelling demand of food for the growing population fetch our attention towards utilizing partially reclaimed sodic soils for cultivation. In the present investigation, we compared six treatments, like control (T1), existing farmers’ practice (T2), balanced inorganic fertilization (T3) and combined application of green gram (Vigna radiate) with inorganic NPK (T4), green manure (Sesbania aculeate) with inorganic NPK (T5), and farmyard manure with inorganic NPK (T6), to study the influence of nutrient management on soil organic carbon sequestration and soil fertility under long-term rice-wheat cropping system along with its productivity in gypsum-amended partially reclaimed sodic soils of semi-arid sub-tropical Indian climate. On an average, combined application of organics along with fertilizer NPK (T4, T5, and T6) decreased soil pH, ESP, and BD by 3.5, 13.0, and 6.7% than FP (T2) and 3.7, 12.5, and 6.7%, than balanced inorganic fertilizer application (T3), respectively, in surface (0–20xa0cm). These treatments (T4, T5, and T6) also increased 14.1% N and 19.5% P availability in soil over the usual farmers’ practice (FP) with an additional saving of 44.4 and 27.3% fertilizer N and P, respectively. Long-term (6xa0years) incorporation of organics (T4, T5, and T6) sequestered 1.5 and 2.0 times higher soil organic carbon as compared to the balanced inorganic (T3) and FP (T2) treatments, respectively. The allocation of soil organic carbon into active and passive pools determines its relative susceptibility towards oxidation. The lower active to passive ratio (1.63) in FYM-treated plots along with its potentiality of higher soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration compared to the initial stock proved its acceptability for long-term sustenance under intensive cropping even in partially reclaimed sodic soils. Among all the treatments, T4 yielded the maximum from second year onwards. Moreover, after 6xa0years of continuous cultivation, the observed EWY (2011–2012) was found to be 41.9 and 33.1% higher in T4 as compared to FP (T2) and T3, respectively. Thus, for maintaining higher yield coupled with improved SOC sequestration and nutrient availability, T4 followed by T6 treatments would be the suitable options for long-term intensive rice-wheat system in partially reclaimed sodic soils of northern India.

Influence of geochemical processes on hydrochemistry and irrigation suitability of groundwater in part of semi-arid Deccan Plateau, India

Major ion geochemistry was used to characterise the chemical composition of groundwater in part of semi-arid Deccan plateau region to understand the geochemical evolution and to evaluate the groundwater quality for irrigation. The study area comprises peninsular gneissic complex of Archean age, younger granites and basaltic alluvium. Forty-nine georeferenced groundwater samples were collected and analysed for major ions. The ionic sequence based on relative proportions was Na+xa0>xa0Mg2+xa0>xa0Ca2+xa0>xa0SO42−xa0>xa0HCO3−xa0>xa0Cl−xa0>xa0CO32−xa0>xa0BO33−xa0>xa0K+. High Na+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ were generally associated with basaltic alluvial formation, whereas pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved salts (TDS) were found to be higher in granitic formations. High standard deviation for EC, TDS, Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ indicated the dispersion of ionic concentration throughout the study area. Four major hydrochemical facies identified were Na-Mg-HCO3 type; Mg-Na-HCO3 type; Na-Mg-Ca-SO4 and Mg-Na-Ca-SO4 type. The graphical plots indicated that the groundwater chemistry was influenced by rock–water interaction, silicate weathering and reverse ion exchange. Sodium-dominated waters might have impeded the hydraulic properties of soils as a result of long-term irrigation.

Water-Retention Characteristics and Available Water Capacity in Three Cropping Systems of Lower Indo-Gangetic Alluvial Plain

This study was conducted in Chinchura-Mogra and Polba-Dapur Blocks of Hugli District, West Bengal to determine the changes in cropping systems on water-retention characteristics (WRC) and available water capacity (AWC) and their relations with other soil properties. In the present study, three sites contained adjacent cropping systems of banana and mango orchard, paddy–paddy, and paddy–potato–vegetables were selected. Soil samples were collected from depths of 0–30 and 30–60 cm in three representative sites of each cropping system with three replications guided by land use and soil map of study area. Analysis of variance was performed to compare the impact of cropping systems on available water content and water-retention characteristics. The mean clay content was greater both on the surface (61.70%) and in the subsurface (55.06%) in the soils under the paddy–paddy cropping system than banana and mango orchard and paddy–potato–vegetable cropping systems. Paddy–potato–vegetables cropping system (0.55%) has lower soil organic carbon compared to the banana and mango orchard (0.63 %) and paddy–paddy cropping system (0.65%) at 0–30 cm deep, whereas no significant difference in soil organic carbon was recorded in 30–60 cm deep. The results of available water capacity indicated that paddy–paddy cropping system recorded lower available water capacity at both ranges of depth. Available water capacity is significantly positively correlated with silt and organic carbon. The results of water-retention studies indicated that 75 and 85% of available water was removed from the soil of paddy–potato–vegetable cropping system by 0.5 M Pa at 0–30 and 30–60 cm deep, respectively, whereas only 56–62% of available water was removed by 0.5 M Pa in the other two systems. The results show that the paddy–potato–vegetable cropping system is more vulnerable to moisture stress during drought periods.

Impact Assessment of GIS Based Land Resource Inventory Towards Optimizing Agricultural Land Use Plan in Dandakaranya and Easternghats Physiographic Confluence of India

AbstractnGIS based land resource inventory (LRI) with fine resolution imagery is considered as most authentic tool for soil resource mapping. Soil resource mapping using the concept of soil series in a smaller scale limits its wide application and also its impact assessment for crop suitability is controversial. In this study, we attempted to develop LRI at large scale (1:10,000 scale) at block level land use planning (LUP) in Dandakaranya and Easternghats physiographic confluence of India. The concept of land management unit was introduced in this endeavour. The impact assessment of LRI based LUP was exercised to develop efficient crop planning with best possible management practices. The study area comprised six landforms with slope gradient ranging from very gentle (1–3%) to steep slopes (15–25%). The very gently sloping young alluvial plains occupied maximum areas (19.95% of TGA). The single cropped (paddy) land appears to dominate the land use systems (40.0% of TGA). Thirty three landscape ecological units were resulted by GIS-overlay. Eighteen soils mapping units were generated. The area was broadly under two soil orders (Inceptisols and Alfisols); three great group (Haplaquepts, Rhodustalfs and Endoaquepts) and ten soil series. Crop suitability based impact assessment of LRI based LUP revealed that average yield of different crops increased by 39.2 and 14.5% in Kharif (rainy season) and Rabi (winter) seasons respectively and annual net returns by 83.4% for the cropping system, compared to traditional practices. Productivity and net returns can be increased several folds if customized recommended practices are adopted by the farmers. Informations generated from the study emphasized the potentiality of LRI towards optimizing LUP and exhibited an ample scope to use the methodology as a tool to assess in other physiographic regions in India and abroad.