Characterization of tropical soils in the fringe of Chhotanagpur Plateau in Eastern India for land use planning

Abstract

Soils developed on various physiography at the foothills of Chhotanagpur Plateau were characterized, to classify and evaluate their suitability for existing crops. The soils in general are moderately deep (78 cm) to deep (120 cm), well drained to poorly drained, greyish in colour (hue 7.5 YR to 2.5Y) with redoximorphic features and are loams to clay loams in surface texture. They are slightly to moderately acidic (pH 5.3 to 6.7) in reaction with low contents of organic carbon (< 10g Kg^-1). The soils are classified as Udic Haplustalfs, Udic Paleustalfs and Typic Endoaqualfs. The major limitations of these soils are slight to moderate erosion and low inherent fertility. Soil-site suitability evaluation revealed that in general, existing crops viz. rice, wheat, pea, mustard, sesame and groundnut are only moderately to marginally suitable. Maize, Bengal gram and lentil were suggested as alternate crops, where as plantation of fruit trees (Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava and Artocarpus heterophyllus) and aromatic grasses (Cymbopogon wintcriamus, Pandanus odoratissimus L. and Cymbopigon flexuosus Stapt) are suggested for fallow lands.

Keywords: Chhotanagpur Plateau, India, alfisols, soil-site suitability, alternate land use

Nigeria Journal of Soil Research Vol. 6 2005: 50-57