Mapping land suitability for groundnut (Arachis hypogaea l.) in arid environment of Andhra Pradesh using geographic information system

Abstract

In the present study, mapping land suitability for groundnut was carried out in arid environment of Andhra Pradesh using detailed soil survey (at 1:10,000 scale) information. Seven soil series were established based on different landforms and soil characteristics. Soil was evaluated based on soil physical and chemical properties. Soils were shallow to deep, slightly acidic to moderately alkaline (pH 6.3 to 8.6) in reaction and non-saline. The soils were loamy sand to clay and the mean clay content ranged from 19.56 to 38.56%. The mean organic carbon in soils ranged from 0.32 to 0.98% and cation exchange capacity from 6.90 to 24.82 cmol (p+) kg-1 soil, respectively. The standard land evaluation criteria have been followed to assess the land suitability for groundnut. The suitability analysis indicates that about 51.3% of total geographical area (TGA) is moderately suitable (S2), 35.6% is marginally suitable (S3) and 6.9% of the area permanently not suitable (N2) to groundnut cultivation.