Characterization, Classification and Evaluation of Soils of Karanji Watershed, Yavatmal District of Maharashtra for Land Resource Management using Geospatial Technologies

Soils representing major physiographic units comprising plateau top, escarpment, isolated hillock, foot slopes, undulating land, alluvial plain and valley developed from basalt and basaltic alluvium under varying land use and slope were characterized using remote sensing data and digital elevation model (DEM), classified, mapped and assessed for their sustainable use. Soils developed on plateau top, escarpments, isolated hillocks and foot slopes were very shallow to shallow, loamy to clayey, well-drained and moderately to severely eroded, while soils developed on undulating lands, alluvial plain and valley were deep to very deep, fine to very fine in texture, moderately well drained and slightly eroded. The soil colour, in general, is 10YR in hue and at places (plateau top and foot slope) exhibited 5YR with chroma 1 to 3 and value 3 to 5. The pH of the surface soils is neutral to slightly alkaline. However, higher pH and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) in sub-soils of Dharna (P12) and Kongara (P14) in alluvial plain indicated the development of sub-soil sodicity with concomitant decrease in hydraulic conductivity. At sub-group level, the soils were classified as Lithic Ustorthents (P1, P3 and P4) and Typic Ustorthents (P2, P5, P6 and P10), Typic Haplustepts (P17), Vertic Haplustepts (P7, P8, P9, P11, P13, P15 and P16) and Sodic Haplusterts (P12 and P14) based on soil profile development and diagnostic characteristics. Seventeen soil series were identified and mapped as association of soil series in different physiography-land use units. The soils were found extremely poor to poor at upper elevations but it is good in soil productivity at lower elevations of the watershed. Based on assessed soil constraints and site characteristics, the land capability, land irrigability and soil suitability for major crops were evaluated and a suitable land use plan has been suggested for land resource management and development.