Crop suitability evaluation of cultivated soils surrounding Ramakrishnapur open cast coal mine area of Mancherial district of Telangana state

Abstract

Six typical pedons from cultivated soils surrounding Ramakrishnapur open cast coal mine area of Mancherial district, Telangana state were evaluated for their suitability to major crops viz., cotton, rice, maize and redgram. The suitability classes ranged from highly suitable (S1) to permanently not suitable (N2) to these crops. All the pedons of Ramakrishnapur were moderately suitable (S2) except pedon 4 was marginally suitable (S3) for cotton. Pedon 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 were moderately suitable (S2), pedon 4 was marginally suitable (S3) where as pedon 6 was highly sutable (S1) for cotton and redgram. Pedon 1, 3 and 5 were moderately suitable (S2), pedon 6 was marginally suitable (S3) and pedon 4 was not suitable (N2) for rice. Pedons 1, 2, 5 and 6 were highly suitable (S1) and the rest of the pedons were moderately suitable (S2) for maize crop. Drainage, texture, low organic carbon content and low CEC content were severe limiting factors in pedon 4. The limitation levels of land characteristics varied from crop to crop. Suitable conservation and remedial measures were suggested to improve the soil productivity on sustainable basis without deteriorating soil quality. Potential land suitability classes were also given based on the possible improvement of these soils.