Soil-Site suitability evaluation for soybean and sunflower crops in the soils of north-west Gir Madhuvanti toposequence of South Saurashtra Region of Gujarat

Abstract

Six representative pedons were evaluated for their suitability of two oilseed crops (Soybean and Sunflower) in the soils of different land slope of north-west Gir Madhuvanti toposequence of south Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The land slopes, lower piedmont belong to Vertic Haplusterts (P3) were marginally suitable (S3) for Soybean and Sunflower. The soils plain area belongs to Typic Haplusterts (P4) and depression area belong to Sodic Haplusterts (P5) were marginally suitable (S3) for Sunflower and currently not suitable (N1) for Soybean. Upper piedmont belongs to Lithic Ustorthents (P2) were marginally suitable (S3) for Soybean and permanently not suitable (N2) for Sunflower. The soils upper coast belong to Fluventic Calciustepts (P6) were marginally suitable (S3) for Sunflower and permanently not suitable (N2) for soybean. The hill slopes belong to Lithic Ustorthents (P1) were currently not suitable (N1) for Soybean and permanently not suitable (N2) for Sunflower. Topography, drainage, shallow soil depth, high CaCO3, poor soil fertility (low O.C. and high soil pH) soil salinity and sodicity are the major limitations in most soils of north-west Gir Madhuvanti toposequence of south Saurashtra. Results showed that the suitability classes can be improved if the correctable limitations (soil fertility characteristics) are altered through soil amelioration measures.