Characterization of tank silt of natural reservoirs in Western Melghat region of Dharni

Abstract

The present Investigation was carried out for Characterization of tank silt of natural reservoirs in Western Melghat region of Dharni and its physical properties. The tank silt samples were collected based on GPS from eleven reservoirs in Western Melhgat region of Dharni. The particle size analysis of various tank silt content ranged from sand 3.50 to 19.50 %, silt 55.70 to 66.40% and clay 20.20 to 31.00% with textural classes silt loam to silt clay loam. It was further observed that bulk density ranged from 1.15 to 1.50 Mg m-3, particle density from 2.46 to 2.59 Mg m-3 and hydraulic conductivity from 0.86 to 1.06 cm hr-1.The pH of different tank silt was found in the ranged of 6.21 to 7.43 which was slightly acidic to neutral in reaction, electrical conductivity ranged from 0.17 to 0.74 and organic carbon was noted between 5.6 to 9.7 g kg-1. From this study it can be concluded that, tank silt from all the natural reservoirs of Western Melghat region are beneficial for improvement of physical and chemical properties of agricultural soil in the region.