Characterization of Sodic Soils of North Western Zone of Tamil Nadu
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Author:M. Jayakumar, V. Balasubramanian and T.S. Manickam
p-ISSN:0024-9602, e-ISSN:2582-5321, Vol:99, Issue:oct-dec
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.100175
Abstract
An attempt has been made on characterization of sodic soils by using reconnaissance soil
survey methods in North Western Zone of Tamil Nadu encompassing the districts of
Dharmapuri, Salem, Krishnagiri and Namakkal during January 2009 to August 2009. Surface
soil samples were collected as per reconnaissance soil survey reports of Dept. of Agriculture
and analyzed the soil pH and EC. Based on the analytical report the severity of sodicity problem
was quantified. Then profiles were dug and detailed analyses were taken up in the sodic soil
inflicted areas. Considerable area of sodic soils to the extent of 26,279 ha was identified
under the soil series viz., Peelamedu, Salem, Mallur, Thulukkanur, Mallasamudram,
Upparapatti, Periyanaickanpalayam, Nattam, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Harur. Among the
soil series detailed analysis of profile samples like pH, EC, ESP and SAR the Mallasamudram
soil series was identified as most affected by sodicity. The pH range of the above series was
9.1 to 10.0, EC of 0.8 to 1.2 dsm -1 and ESP of 32 and 48 per cent was predominantly noticed
compared to other soil series. The land capability and productivity classes were poor in the
above soil series.
Key words : Soil characterization, North Western Zone, sodicity, land capability class (LCC).