Characterization and classification of soils of Valapadi block of Salem district of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

A detailed soil survey was carried out in Valapadi block of Salem district consists of 39 villages spread over 18551 hectares. Based on variation in physiography and landform, ten soil series and 57 soil mapping units were identified. Ten typifying pedons representing the soil series were analysed for its physico - chemical properties and characterized for mapping. Soils are deep to very deep, well drained to somewhat poorly drained, light to dark coloured, light to heavy textured. pH of soils ranged from 6.3 to 8.9 with mean value of 7.8, EC ranged between 0.1 to 0.5 dSm-1, OC varied from 0.11 to 0.68% with mean value of 0.33%, CEC ranged from 8.5 to 27.4 cmol (p+) kg-1 with mean value of 17.87 cmol (p+) kg-1. The land capability classification in the study area indicates that moderately good cultivated soils covered 18.6 percent area was affected with moderate limitations of erosion, where as the extent of moderate limitations of erosion and calcareousness was 65.9 percent. The land irrigability groupings indicate that about 18.6 percent area of the block may be used safely under irrigation. The erosion and calcareousness land covering 65.9 percent of the area were moderately suitable for sustained use under irrigation, provided proper soil and water conservation measures to be adopted.