Estimation of soil erodibility for soil conservation in upper godavari sub basin of India

Abstract

Planning conservation initiatives and calculating soil erosion requires an understanding of soil erodibility or K-values. The soil erodibility in upper Godavari River Sub-basin was evaluated using field sampling, laboratory analysis, and geostatistical techniques. The soils in the area are primarily clayey and have an average organic carbon concentration of 0.49%. K-values showed a range of erodibility from low to high, from 0.17 to 0.47 t ha h/ha MJ mm. Kriging interpolation had been used to evaluate spatial distribution of K-values. K-values have been greatly impacted by human activity, underscoring the necessity of customized management approaches. To maximize the use of natural resources and support efforts to conserve soil and water, this research attempts to offer scientific and technological insights.