REPORT ON SOIL RESOURCE MAP OF PAKUR DISTRICT, …

REPORT ON SOIL RESOURCE MAP OF PAKUR DISTRICT,

JHARKHAND STATE

Submitted To

Ranchi, Jharkhand Department of Information Technology, Govt of Jharkhand

Jharkhand Space Applications Centre The Director

Prepared By

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Acknowledgements

At the out set, on behalf of ADCC Infocad Private Limited, with deep sense of gratitude I thank Dr. A.T. Jayaseelan Director Jharkhand Space Applications Centre Ranchi Jharkhand then Ex Directors Dr. Sanjay Srivastava, Dr. A.P. Subuddhi for empanelling and awarded us the “Project on soil resource mapping using Satellite image, Remote Sensing and creation of soil database in the area of Santhal Paragana” province constituting 06 districts viz Pakur, Sahibganj, Godda, Dumka, Jamtara, and Deoghar districts of Jharkhand State.

Our special thanks are due to Project Coordinator Mr. Ravish Kumar, Scientist JSAC,

then Mr. Sunil Londhe, Scientist Ex-JSAC, for providing required base material, scientific and project advice and timely help during the execution of the project.

ADCC Infocad is highly thankful to team of Scientist for guidance during soil correlation activity which includes Dr. M. Kudrat– RRSSC-Deharadun, Dr.D.Dutta-RRSSC-Kharagpur, Dr.S.N.Das RRSSC-Nagpur, Dr. Aloke Kumar Barman Soil survey officer- Soil and land survey of India Kolkata, Dr. S.P.Singh Asso, S& LUSI, and Mr.M.A.Fyzee-NRSA Hyderabad, Mr.Vinod Kumar Scientist JSAC

We are highly thankful to our team of soil scientist which includes Dr. A.R.Kalbande Ex-

NBSS & LUP-Nagpur, Dr.S.Deshpande, Mr. T.B.Raut–NBSS & LUP Nagpur, and Mr.Y.D.Khare–Scientist Ex-MRSAC–Nagpur for valuable guidance during tenure of the Soil mapping project for Santhal Paragana province.

My wholehearted thanks to Nikhil Dakshindas, Anand Pradhan-Project Manager, Umesh

Chaudhary, and Anis Khan for carrying out field and office activity and the entire execution team for their untiring efforts to make it a success to ADCC Infocad.

Nevertheless to mention the efforts made by Projects Management, Marketing, Software

Development, HRD, Administration and Accounts team of ADCC Infocad, which lead to the successful completion of this work. Place: Nagpur Amit Somani Date: 24-11-2009 (Commercial Director)

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Executive-Summary

Government of Jharkhand along with Jharkhand Space Applications Centre, Department

of Information Technology, conceptualized a project for statewide implementation of “Soil

Resource mapping using Satellite Remote Sensing and Soil database creation for State

of Jharkhand”. In accordance with the objectives of the project Santhal Paragana province of

Jharkhand has been identified for preparation of Soil mapping and creation of soil database.

ADCC Infocad was empanelled as a consultant to execute the project and the present report is

on Pakur district, which is one of those 06 districts from Santhal Paragana province of

Jharkhand State.

The Pakur district is present on the North-Eastern part of the Santhal Paragana

province. District experience average rainfall of 1200 mm and covering area of 1809.64 Sq.Km.

Rivers like Torai, Gumani are flowing from NW to East part of the district boundary. Pakur has

one major sub-division as Pakur. This division is administratively divided in to 05 blocks.

Agriculture is the main occupation of the district with paddy is grown as major crop.

Physiographical terrain shows maximum contour height as 400 Mtr and minimum 20 Mtrs near

the Eastern side of district.

In Pakur district base rock is Rajmahal traps which constitutes basaltic lava flows with

intertrapian beds. Rajmahal traps are overlaid by alluvium on the top. This alluvium consists of

sand and clay. Metamorphic gneisses are also present in the district. In the alluvium area

agriculture development is good because of the rich available water resource but on the western

part of the district soil is not much developed and therefore agriculture is mainly on the rainfed

type.

Soil mapping of Pakur indicates that there are 19 soil series and 16 soil association

present in the district. Out of which 12 SMU on Rajmahal origin of parent material while 02 units

are placed on the Gneisses and 02 more SMU are on Gondwanas.

Degraded status of the Pakur district is studied where it is found that steep

sloping hills are very near to the NW corner of the district. Because of high slope there

are more likely chances that fertile soil will get eroded.

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i.exe

Such area is confined to about 16.08% of the district geographical area. This erosion

needs to be protected by soil conservation practices. Soil pH is also on the acidic type

throughout the district. Out of 19 series 16 series are found to be acidic.

In all district 05 land capability classes are identified depending on the physical

characteristics. Soils in 55.77% of the geographical area of district are classified in class II

indicating moderately well state of soil condition. But other 16.08% of the area is under forest

land use with steep slope. Therefore forest conservation practices in this area are urgently

needed.

In district 03 types of land irrigability classes could be identified viz 2, 5 and 6, out of

which 56% of the area is under Class 2 showing moderately suitable aerable lands. Other

34.06% of the area is under class 6 indicating unsuitable (Non aerable lands)

Pakur district is having monocrop culture of cropping pattern however the land irrigability

class II shows 56.08 % of the geographical area indicating potential of area to develop double

cropping. District also have potential for horticulture cultivation in addition to this other sectors

such as prawns farming, aquaculture is also recommended using inland water system.

Finally socioeconomic condition of the district is poor since literacy rate is low which

creates health hazards.

Water harvesting in form of bunds, gulley plugs are recommended in western part of the

district.

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Main Frame of Report

1 Introduction 7

2 Geographical Setting

2.1 Location and Extent 8 2.2 Physiography and relief 8 2.3 Drainage 8 2.4 Climate 8 2.5 Geology 11 2.6 Natural Vegetation 11

3 Agriculture Present Land use and Socio-economic features

3.1 Land use of Jharkhand 13 3.2 Crops of Pakur 14 3.3 Socio-economic features 17

4 Methodology

4.1 Collection of base line data 19 4.2 Interpretation of Satellite image data 22 4.3 Plan for field survey 25 4.4 Collection of soil sample 25 4.4.1 Profile study 25

4.4.2 Chemical & mechanical analysis 25

4.5 Digitization of various features 26 4.6 Compilation of database 26 4.7 Preparation of final soil map 29

5 The Soils 5.1 Generalities 32 5.2 Soil Landform relationship 32

5.3 Soil distribution and classification 33

6 Soil Degradation Status

6.1 Eroded Soils 37 6.2 Water Logging soils 38 6.3 Acidic Soils 38

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6.4 Gullied lands 38 6.5 Deforestation 38

7 Interpretation of soils for Land Resources Management

7.1 Land Capability Classification 39 7.2 Land and Soil Irrigability classification 44 7.2.1 Land Irrigability Classification 44 7.3 Soil Suitability grouping for sustainable agriculture 46

a. Under rainfed agriculture 47 b. Irrigated Agriculture 47 7.4 Cropping system and recommended crops 48 7.5 Horticulture Development 50 7.6 Forest, Forage and grassland development 51 7.7 Hydrological grouping of soils, water Harvesting, its storage and management. 51 7.7.1 Hydrological Soil Groups 51 7.7.2 Water Harvesting its storage and management 54

8 Reference

8.1 Soil series Description and Chemical data 55 8.2 Reference Consulted 94

List of Tables 95 List of figures 96 List of plates 96 List of Annexure 97

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Chapter-1 INTRODUCTION

Soil resource mapping for any state is very important activity since it is directly related to the

overall development of the state. Jharkhand Space Application Centre, Ranchi, Department of

Information technology Jharkhand invited tender for the preparation of the soil map with the help

of satellite image interpretation and field surveys. These thematic maps are prepared for use in

planning agriculture production and soil conservation. The basic use of this thematic mapping is

to understand the spatial distribution of different type of soil, also to identify soil related

problems in area which would be useful for addressing these problems for future needs.

Soil conservation has become a necessary step to preserve the fertile soil, which otherwise gets

eroded with time. Land provides food, fuel, fodder and shelter to the mankind besides

supporting secondary and other economic life supporting system. Due to over utilization of this

resource over long period cause degradation of soil quality which needs to be restored by

adopting appropriate conservation practices. Nature takes almost 600-1000 years to build 2.5

cm of topsoil but this very topsoil get displaced in a year due to unplanned activities or non

conservation.

The generation of information on types, extents, distribution and characteristics of soil of an

area as well as their potential and problems are vital for appropriate decision on their rational

use for sustainable agriculture production without any risk of soil degradation.

The demographic pressure is rapidly mounting on the natural resources. The present population

of India is 1050 million which is estimated to become 1.4 billion by 2025 and 1.7 billion by 2050

AD needing annually about 380 MT and 480 MT food grains respectively. Under the situation

heavy biotic pressure on land is expected, which may cause land degradation in terms of

productivity. The situation therefore calls for judicious soil management practices and thus

systematic soil mapping is indispensible.

Soil is called to be non-elastic, non renewable asset. The per capita availability of land that

decreased from 0.5 ha in 1950-51 to 0.15 ha in 1999-2000 and it is likely to decrease further to

0.08 ha in 2020 due to rise in population in geometric proportion. As a result land holding

capacity will decrease further which would result in low production of food grains. In order to

achieve the food security in situation of increasing population it is necessary to manage the soil

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resources on sustainable basis through adoption of modern technological inputs. The

management of land resources is possible with the help of soil inventory prepared in these

project activities. This soil data will definitely help in production and steps to be taken for the

conservation of this non renewable asset

Realising the importance of soil resource the Jharkhand Space Applications Centre

conceptualized a project for preparation of soil map on 1:50000 scale using IRS satellite

images. In view of this a project of soil mapping for six districts covering Santhal Paragana

province has been awarded to ADCC Infocad Nagpur. Accordingly ADCC Infocad Nagpur has

prepared soil maps as per the methodology designed by the Jharkhand Space Applications

Centre.

The present project on the soil mapping of Pakur district of Jharkhand has been aimed towards

the following

Preparation of soil map on 1:50000 scale

Interpretation and evaluation of database on soils.

Identification of potential soil and there related problems.

Suggestive strategy and approaches for optimum utilization of soil and waste land area.

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Chapter-2 GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING

2.1 Location and Extent

Pakur district is spread out in an area of 1805.59 Sq.km in the NE part of Jharkhand state. The

district lies between 230 40’ North to 250 18’ North Latitude and between 860 25’ to 870 57’ East

Longitude. District is surrounded by district of Sahibganj on North, Dumka district on South,

Godda on West and East direction. The population of the district is 701616 as per 2001 Census.

2.2 Physiography and Relief

Pakur district is predominantly a hilly district with certain pockets of plain land. Topographically it

is divided in to three parts, i.e. hilly area, the rolling area and alluvial area. The hilly area

includes the whole of Damini–I–Koh from North corner of the district up to the south west

touching the border of Birbhoom district of West Bengal. A narrow continuous strip of alluvial

soils which lies between the Ganges feeder canal and the loop line of Eastern Railway is very

fertile and plain land.

2.3 Drainage

The main drainages of the district are Gumani nadi, Banshlai nadi. Gumani River is flowing on

the northern part of the district and Banshlai river is flowing near the Maheshpur town. Other

drainages of the district are Pagia nadi, Baru nadi which flows from NW to SE direction. Dheba

nadi is flowing from West to East direction. Tirghana nadi is flowing from NW to SE part of the

district. Torai nadi is flowing from West to East part of the district.

2.4 Climate

Jharkhand has a different climate from that of Bihar and other neighboring state. Monsoon

winds come from two different areas. One section comes from Bay of Bengal and other section

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from Arabian Sea. Wind from the Bay of Bengal contains more moisture as Jharkhand state is

more near to the former part. The temperature of the state is also on the lower side because of

its height from sea level. About 1/3rd of the area has elevation of 400 mt and rest 2/3rd has

height of only 300 mt from MSL. As a result the temperature of Jharkhand is 60 F less than the

Ganges plain. The elevation also affects the pressure of wind.

Jharkhand has three main seasons.

Summer Season March to May

Rainy Season June to October

Winter Season November to February

The summer season:

The period of this season is from 16th March to 15th June. The higher elevation and the forest

cover is responsible for reduction of temperature in some areas. During summer many parts of

the state also experience dust storm, thunderstorm and showers. The average rainfall during

summer varies from 50mm to 850 mm. Santhal Paragana province receives 152 mm of rain

The rainy season:

The period of this season is from June to October but monsoon reaches Jharkhand by middle of

June. This state gets relatively more rain than Ganga plains. Average rainfall of the state is

1200 mm but the heaviest rainfall is recorded in Pat region because of higher elevation. SW-

Part also receives higher rainfall because of greater forest cover. According to one observation

the North-Koel basin receives rainfall between 1200mm to 1250 mm but the SW portion of state

gets 1350mm to 1450 mm.

Actual Rainfall (mm) Av. Rainfall

Sr.No District 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

1 Pakur 1234.9 1595.8 1489.4 923.3 956.2 1239.9

Table 2.1 Rainfall details for Pakur district

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The winter Season

This winter season extends between November and February. In winter season state has, clear

and charming weather with blue sky. The day is warm but the night is cold. December and

January are coldest months with temperature comes to 50 C to 70 C. Jharkhand state also gets

rainfall in winter. The average rainfall is 50mm but northwest part receives more than 80mm

rainfall.

Jharkhand state is divided in to 07 climatic zones by A. Prasad.

a. North and North Western Zone

b. Central Zone

c. East Santhal Paragana Zone

d. Ocean affected zone

e. South West zone

f. Ranchi Hazaribagh zone

g. Pat Zone

Pakur district comes under East Santhal Paragana zone. This zone includes the highlands

of Rajmahal. The Rajmahal ranges work as a barrier between warm westerly winds and

moist-later winds of the Bay of Bengal. The proximity of Bay of Bengal provides a rainfall

between 1400mm to 1500 mm.

2.5 Geology

The Pakur district is predominantly (about 98 %) covered by Rajmahal traps belonging to lower

cretaceous with intertrapian beds. The traps are overlain by alluvium covering Eastern part of

the district. The Rajmahal traps composed of basaltic lava flows with massive and vesicular

units’ basalt and forms multilayer system. Rajmahal traps are inter-bedded with intertrapian

beds composed of calcareous sediments. The alluvium composed of clay and sand. Very few

about 1.6 % of the area is covered by Gondwanas rocks and 0.04% by Gneisses rocks.

2.6 Natural Vegetation

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Forest is a renewable source and contributes substantially to the economic

development. About 29.61% of the state area is under forest. The forest of the state are mainly

located in Santhal Paragana, Chatra, Hazaribagh, Garhwa, and Palamu districts. This Pakur

district is with very small area covered under the Forest. Because of the human intervention

forest has not been spared even on hills. There are a few reserve forest situated in Pakur

district. The vegetations generally traced in Pakur district are timber species like Shisham, teak,

Gamhar. The natural vegetation found in Jharkhand state is as below.

Local Name Botanical Name

Ain Terminalia tomentosa Bans Dendrocalamus Strictus Gurari Cleistanthus Collins Kusum Schleichera oleosa Sagon Tectona grandis Semal Salmalia malabarica Tendu Diospyros malabarica Aonla Diospyros malanoxylon Dhaora Anogeissus latifolia Khair Acacia farneiana Palas Butea frondosa Salai Bswellia serrata Anjan Hardwickia binata Bija Pterocarpus marsupium Neem Azadirachta indica Ber Zizyphus jijuba Shisham Dalbergia sissoo Amllas Cerssia fistula

Following shrubs and grasses are occurs in Jharkhand State.

Local Names

Banatulasi

Kans

Sitaphal

Dub

Lampa

Botanical Names

Eranthemum pulochellum

Saccharum spontaneum

Anona Squamosa

Cynodon dactylon

Heteropogon contortus

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Common Trees in Pakur district

Mango – Mangifera indica, Neem – Azadirachta indica, Tamarind – Tamarindus indica

Chapter 3 AGRICULTURE, PRESENT LANDUSE AND SOCIOECONOMIC FEATURES

3.1 Land use of Jharkhand

Pakur district is primarily an agricultural district. Out of the total population of 7.01 Lakhs, the

rural population is 6.65 Lakhs and urban population is 0.36 Lakhs. In this way nearly 94.8 % of

the people reside in rural areas. Ref Fig 2.1.Most of them are dependent on agriculture. The

total agricultural land of the Jharkhand state is 29.74 Lakh hectors out of the total area of 79714

Sq.Km. The state needs 46 lakh metric tones but only half of this produced in the state.

Looking at the land use pattern the net sown area of the state is 22.68%. Forest accounts for

29.61%, Uncultivable waste land is 7.19%, Non Agricultural use is 9.89%, Orchards is 1.38%,

pasture 1.10%, and Cultivable waste land is 3.48% and fallow land is 25.01%

Landuse Pattern For Jharkhand State

Fig 2.1: Land use pattern for Jharkhand State

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Harvesting Season

There are three main crop seasons namely Khariff, Rabi and summer. Major Khariff crops are

maize, bajara, vegetable, til etc. Harvesting season of these crops is September-October. Like

Khariff crops Aghani crops are also grown in state. They are sown in beginning of monsoon just

like Khariff crops but the harvesting season is January-February.

3.2 Crops of Pakur

Paddy is the main crop of Jharkhand as well as Pakur. It is grown as Aghani, Bhadai and

Garma crop. The Aghani paddy occupies maximum of 81.03%, Bhadai covers 13.20% and

Garma as low as 0.28%.

Following is the table showing production of Crops in Pakur district.

(Below given production in thousand metric tones) Table No 3.1

Sr.No District Paddy Wheat Maize Barley Gram Sugarc

ane

1 Pakur 118.9 2.0 7.9 1.2 1.8 3.1

Fig-3.1 Details of Production of crops in thousand MT

Wheat is not much grown in Pakur district.

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Pulses like Mung (Kidney Bean) Khesari, Masoor (lentils), and Arhar are grown in the Pakur

district.

Fig 3.2 –Vegetables near Hiranpur in Pakur District

Many area of Jharkhand are beneficial for cultivation of vegetable. It has now been proved

beyond doubt that soil and climate of the region are ideal for production of vegetables like

potato, tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, capsicum. Vegetables are grown in 2.23 Lakh hectors

which produces 33 lakh tones of different vegetables.

The vegetable production in Jharkhand is better. The per capita requirement of vegetable per

day is 280 gms. The state provides 246 gms per capita per day and national production is 230

gms per capita. It is apparent that Jharkhand meets eighty percent of its requirement from its

own vegetable production leaving the gap of only twenty percent.

Fruits

Different kind of fruits production occurs in Jharkhand. Given table shows fruit plantation and

there production.

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Sr.No Crop Area in Ha. Production (M.T.) 1 Mango 7153 85836 2 Banana 2580 51600 3 Guava 5030 60360 4 Litchi 1377 16524 5 Citrus 5377 53770 6 Other Fruits 11386 113860 7 Vegetables 223595 3394888 8 Coconut 789 7890

Table 3.2 Fruit production details in Jharkhand

Mango Orchard in Pakur District.

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Cauliflower and Tomato near Hiranpur in Pakur dist.

3.3 Socio-Economic Features

Pakur is the administrative headquarter of the district. The total area of the district is 1809.65

Sq.Km. Ref table no 3.3. Administratively district comprises of one sub-division and Six blocks.

Important statistics of the district are as below.

Sr.No Details Figure Unit 1 Area 1809.65 Sq.Km 2 Population 701616 No 3 Rural Population 665602 No 4 Urban Population 36014 No 5 Male Population 358414 No 6 Female Population 343202 No 7 Total Workers 310254 No 8 Male Workers 187853 No 9 Female Workers 122411 No 10 Cultivators 111187 No 11 Agricultural Labors 96302 No 12 Household Industry Workers 26629 No 13 Other workers 76146 No

Table 3.3 Pakur district at a glance.

Block wise population of the district is as below

Sr.No Sub-division Block Population Percentage of population

1 Pakur Littipara 87536 12.47 2 Amrapara 53283 7.59 3 Hiranpur 68092 9.70 4 Pakur 233022 33.21 5 Maheshpur 170482 24.29

Table 3.4 Block wise details of Pakur district

Gumani, Banshlai, Pagia, Baru, Dheba Rivers are flowing through the Pakur district, therefore

agriculture especially paddy cultivation is the main crop. 90% of the population is staying in rural

part of the district with agriculture as a major occupation.

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Socio-economic Problems in Pakur

Female literacy rate in the Pakur district is lowest in the state (20.44%) Because of which the

other members of the family are not interested in study and therefore the social development of

the family is halted.

Because of the less literacy in the state the health standard of the Pakur district is seen to be

poor. As per the details from Health organizations, only 25% of the womenfolk in rural Pakur are

coming out for immunization programme. Superstitions are keeping them away from the health

programme. It is very serious issue that 80% of the pregnant woman is suffering from anemia.

This shows a very low profile for the socio-economic condition of the Pakur district.

Fig3.3 Population density map for Jharkhand State

Fig 3.3 Population map of Jharkhand

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Chapter 4, METHODOLOGY

Soil survey is commonly used for identification of the soil series, various parameters related to

soil and its conservation. Methods of soil survey are different depending on the requirement of

the project activity. However the end results of the soil survey is generation of soil map and

study of various parameters of the soil. Soil survey results help to obtain description

comprehensively of the research area.

In the earlier period the soil survey used to be carried out by grid pattern and collection of soil

samples in the grid. However the technological advancement in Remote Sensing and

Geographical Information System have been a boom for recent soil survey methods.

Soil survey essentially covers following steps.

Collection of base line data

Interpretation of satellite image

Plan for field survey

Collection of soil samples

Chemical & Mechanical analysis of soil samples

Digitization of various features

Compilation of database

Preperation of final soil maps

4.1 Collection of Base line data:

The collection of baseline data in connection of soil mapping project involves collection of

toposheet, satellite images, information related to agriculture and its production, available

geological as well as soil map of the area and other collateral information such as data on

rainfall, temperature etc. Accordingly the toposheet pertaining to study area on 1:50000 were

obtained from survey of India, Ranchi (ref fig No 4.2) and the restricted toposheet which were

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not available from Survey of India were referred at Jharkhand Space Applications Centre,

Ranchi. Soil map of study area on 1:500000 scale was obtained from National Bureau of Soil

Survey and Land use Planning, Nagpur. Similarly Geological map of the study area was

obtained from Geological survey of India , as well as from JSAC on 1:250 scale. In additional to

that Hydrogeological map available with JSAC under Rajiv Gandhi

Geocoded Standard FCC

Satellite Images

SOI Toposheet for Study

Area Geological /

Geomorphological

Literature

Soil site and morphological

properties

Soil Classification

Preperation of soil legend

and soil map units

Chemical & Mechanical

Properties of soil sample QAS‐Check ‐I

QAS‐Check ‐III

Preperation of district wise

soil report

Final Soil map

Other District Information

from Govt. Department

Boundary and Legend

Finalization

Attribute attachment for

Chemical and Mechanical

database

QAS‐Check ‐II

Ground truth survey and

soil profiling data collection

Pre‐field interpretation

database

Preperation of Base Map

Final Output Preperation of

Soil Geodatabase for

district 20

Fig No 4.1 Process Flow Diagram for Soil Mapping Activity

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Fig No- 4.2 Toposheet Data Reference

National Drinking water mission were also referred. Data on Land use and cropping pattern

was obtained from concerned district authority. The rainfall data of study area was procured

from District collector office Pakur.

Sr.No Precision Geocoded IRS P6,LISS III data Date of Pass

1 72 P/5 08th April 2005

2 72 P/6 08th April 2005

3 72 P/9 13th April 2005

4 72 P/10 13th April 2005

5 72 P/11 13th April 2005

6 72 P/12 13th April 2005

7 72 P/13 08th April 2005

8 72 P/14 13th April 2005

9 72 P/15 13th April 2005

Table No 4.1 - Details of Satellite Image data used for Interpretation

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Satellite image data of IRS P6, Liss III (Geocoded Standard FCC) on 1: 50000 scales on hard

as well as soft copy formats were provided by Jharkhand Space Applications centre-Ranchi.

4.2 Interpretation of Satellite image

The soil is a product of parent material, slope, climate i.e. temperature and rainfall. The rainfall

and temperature does not vary to the great extent in a district and thus uniform over a district

area. However there is a variation in geological setup and slope across the district area. Thus

Physiography is a major controlling factor in the formation of soil. The physiographical as well as

slope characters are well reflected in satellite images through image character such as tone

texture, pattern, vegetation and association of features and therefore satellite data of the study

area was visually interpreted based on image character for delineation of different physiographic

units.

Initially standard legend for soil mapping unit was prepared which indicates parent material,

physiographic units and land use following ridge to valley pattern. For example unit the standard

legend of the study area is given in table (Ref table no 4.2). A unique numeric code is given to

geology as well as physiographic units and land use. Thus each mapping unit is represented in

three digits. The first digit indicates the parent material i.e. Geology, Second digit indicates

Physiography and third digit indicates land use.

Standard legend table is prepared for the area of Santhal Paragana province and therefore

geological formation covered in the study area are taken for preparing the standard legend. The

standard legend table is as below in Table No 4.2

GNEISS

S.N UNIT LANDFORM SLOPE %

description EROSION LAND USE DRAINAGE 1 111 HILLS AND RIDGES AND >33% Severe Forest Excessive HILL RANGES WITH VERY STEEP SLOPE 2 112 HILL RANGES WITH 10-15% Severe Forest/Grassland Excessive RESIDUAL HILLOCKS

MODERATELY STEEP

SLOPING

3 121 PEDIMENT STRONGLY 5-10% Moderate- Forest Well drained

TO MODERATELY SLOPING Severe

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4 122 UPPPER PEDIPLAIN WITH 1-3% Moderate Forest Well drained GENTLY TO MODERATELY Open scrub SLOPING Open Forest 5 123 UPPER PEDIPLANE WITH 1-3% Moderate Cultivated Well drained GENTLY TO MODERATELY SLOPING 6 124 UPPER PEDIPLANE WITH 1-3% Moderate Cultivated Well drained GENTLY TO MODERATELY SLOPING 7 125 LOWER PEDIPLANE WITH 0-1% Moderate Cultivated Well drained GENTLY SLOPING 8 126 LOWER PEDIPLANE WITH 0-1% Moderate Cultivated Well drained GENTLY SLOPING 9 131 VALLEY / ALLUVIAL PLAIN 0-1% Slight Cultivated Well drained VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY SLOPING

10 132 GULLIED LAND WITH 3-5% Severe Waste land Well drained MODERATELY SLOPING

GONDWANA S.N UNIT LANDFORM SLOPE % EROSION LAND USE DRAINAGE

1 211 PEDIMENT WITH 5-10% Moderate Mixed Forest Well drained MODERATELY TO STRONGLY SLOPING 2 212 UPPPER PEDIPLAIN WITH 1-3% Moderate Cultivated Well drained GENTLY SLOPING 3 213 LOWER PEDIPLAIN WITH 0-1% Slight Cultivated Well drained VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY SLOPING 4 214 GULLIED LAND WITH 3-5% Severe Waste land Well drained MODERATELY SLOPING

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RAJ MAHAL TRAP S.N UNIT LANDFORM SLOPE % EROSION LAND USE DRAINAGE

1 311 DENUDATIONAL HILL WITH >33% Severe Forest Rapidly drained

VERY STEEP SLOPE 2 312 DENUDATIONAL HILL 15-25% Severe Degraded Rapidly DEGRADED WITH STEEP TO Forest Drained VERY STEEP SLOPE 3 313 UPPER PLEATUE WITH 3-5% Moderate- Barren Well drained GENTLY TO MODERATELY Severe SLOPING 4 314 UPPER PLATEAU (ON THE HILL) 5 315 UPPER PLEATUE WITH 1-3% Moderate Cultivated Well drained GENTLY TO MODERATELY SLOPING 6 316 LOWER PLEATUE WITH 0-1% Slight Cultivated Well drained VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY SLOPING 7 317 VALLEY / ALLUVIAL PLAIN 0-1% Slight Cultivated Well drained VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY SLOPING 8 318 OLDER ALLUVIAL PLAIN WITH 0-1% Slight Cultivated Well drained VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY SLOPING

9 319 RECENT ALLUVIAL PLAIN

WITH 0-1% Slight Cultivated Well drained VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY SLOPING

10 320 OLDER FLOOD PLAIN WITH 0-1% Slight Orchard (Mango) Well drained VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY Cultivated SLOPING

11 321 RECENT FLOOD PLAIN WITH 0-1% Slight Cultivated Well drained VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY SLOPING

12 322 UPPER PLATEAU (LATERITE) 1-3% Moderate Cultivated Well drained

25

The first level interpretation was followed by QS check carried out by expert team of JSAC. The

interpreted boundaries were then finalized incorporating corrections suggested by QS teams.

4.3 Plan for field Survey

A detailed field plan for studying soil profiles of the interpreted mapping units was prepared in

which initially sheet wise units were listed and planning was done in such a manner that

adequate profiles representing all the delineated units were covered. The standard prescribed

by JSAC i.e. 20 profiles / sheet was followed. The soil profiling was done in month of April-to

June 2007. Each profile was dug to standard size and up a depth of parent material. The size of

profile pit is taken as 90cm in width and 120 cm in length

4.4 Collection of Soil sample

4.4.1 Profile study

The profiles so excavated were studied for soil characters for which a standard form was used.

The different soil layers were demarcated based on consistency and texture. The standard

format is given in annexture-1. This was followed by correlation of profile within the studied

profiles. Thus at the end each unit had 8-10 samples. It was observed that each polygon shows

representation of more than one soil series in which one series is dominant while remaining

series are semi-dominant. Based on this soil association was finalized. The first series represent

dominant soil series while second series represent semi-dominant. The series and association

is given in table no 4.4

4.4.2 Chemical & Mechanical Analysis

The representative samples of each series were then chemically as well as mechanically

analyzed and the observations are given in soil series data. This was followed by field QS check

by JSAC expert committee. This committee scrutinizes each and every sheet thoroughly

particularly for delineation of boundary. The QS committee has also check soil series analytical

data for its chemical and mechanical analysis. The unit boundaries were then finalized duly

incorporating the observation of QS checks.

26

4.5 Digitization of various features

As per the terms of references of the project the soil maps so interpreted were then digitized in

AutoCAD Map / ARC GIS and attribute table as prescribed by JSAC were prepared for soil unit

polygon was prepared. The matching of boundary with the adjacent sheet was maintained.

4.6 Compilation of database

The digitization of the soil map was followed by correlation of series with other vendors and

standardization of output data. The expert committee of JSAC convened a meeting of all

vendors at JSAC in August 2008 in which all the vendors presented soil series data which was

then correlated for standardization of series as well as mapping units. The initial units at

interpretation level were then changed to standard units as prescribed by JSAC expert

committee. Similarly attribute table for each series was then prepared using standard 16 code

digit which indicates series hierarchy and soil characteristics. A standard table of mapping units

and series association with 16 digit code is given below table no 4.3

GNEISSES

UNIT LANDFORM SOIL SERIES 16 digit code IMAGE

CHARACTERISTICS

ASSOCIATION 9 VALLEY / ALLUVIAL PLAIN Sarwan 0604040912070504 Bright signature VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY Patharia 0604041508070503 Mottled Texture SLOPING Bansidharpur(INRIMT) 0604040512010502 Cultivated

25 GULLIED LAND WITH Bright signature MODERATELY SLOPING Mottled Texture

Waste land

GODWANA UNIT LANDFORM SOIL SERIES 16 digit code IMAGE CHARACTERISTICS

ASSOCIATION

10 PEDIMENT WITH Sarjori 0604042312070521 Bright signature MODERATELY TO Murabari 0405041407070516 Devoid of Vegetation STRONGLY SLOPING Chitra 0103082408070501 Smooth Texture

11 UPPPER PEDIPLAIN WITH Murabari 0405041407070516 Bright signature GENTLY SLOPING Chitra 0103082408070501 Mottled Texture

27

Dhababad 0604042308070505

12 LOWER PEDIPLANE WITH Dhababad 0604042308070505 Pinkish Tone VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY Asabani 0103081012070501 Predominantly Agriculture SLOPING Rough Texture

25 GULLIED LAND WITH MODERATELY SLOPING

RAJMAHAL TRAPS

UNIT LANDFORM SOIL SERIES 16 digit code IMAGE

CHARACTERISTICS

ASSOCIATION

13 DENUDATIONAL HILL WITH Baramasia 0405040208070502 Reddish Tone VERY STEEP SLOPE Baramasia 0405040208070502 Highly Vegetative Brindavan (Forest) 0405041412070504 Coarse Texture

14 DENUDATIONAL HILL Govindpur 0604040212070501 Barren DEGRADED WITH STEEP TO Baramasia 0405040208070502 Dark Grey Tone VERY STEEP SLOPE Coarse Texture

15 UPPER PLEATUE WITH Sahargaon 0604042312070520 Green Tone GENTLY TO MODERATELY Laterite Barren SLOPING Govindpur 0604040212070501 Smooth Texture

16 UPPER PLEATUE Sahargaon 0604042312070520 Grey Tone (ON THE HILL) Baramasia 0405040208070502 Smooth Texture Agricultural land

17 UPPER PLATEAU WITH Baramasia 0405040208070502 Pinkish Tone GENTLY TO MODERATELY Mottled Texture SLOPING

18 LOWER PLATEAU WITH Pathlahara 0604040512070505 Pinkish Tone VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY Sonajori 0604042312070523 Coarse Texture SLOPING Agricultural land

19 VALLEY / ALLUVIAL PLAIN Mohanpur 0604042312070515 Mixed Tone VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY Bansidharpur(INRIMT) 0604040512010502 Rough Texture SLOPING Sonajori 0604042312070523

20 OLDER ALLUVIAL PLAIN WITH Bansidharpur(INRIMT) 0604040512010502 Grey Tone VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY Mottled Texture SLOPING

28

21 RECENT ALLUVIAL PLAIN

WITH Mohanpur 0604042312070515 Bright Tone VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY Bansidharpur(INRIMT) 0604040512010502 Mottled Texture SLOPING Baramasia 0405040208070502

22 OLDER FLOOD PLAIN WITH Mitial 0103082412070505 Grey Tone VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY Chandpur 0604040912070502 Smooth Texture

SLOPING along Rivers and

Streams

23 RECENT FLOOD PLAIN WITH Chandpur 0604040912070502 Dark Tone VERY GENTLY TO GENTLY Surni mod 0604040912070505 Smooth Texture

SLOPING along Rivers and

Streams

24 UPPER PLATEAU (LATERITE) Telepara 0604042312070526 Greenish Tone Sahargaon 0604042312070520 Smooth Texture

26 Habitation

27 Water Body

28 Mine

30 Sand

32 Water Logged

A unique soil code is a 16 digit code AA-BB-CC-DD-EE-FF-GG-HH where AA is the order, BB-is

the sub-order, CC-is the grade group, DD-is the sub-group. The actual codes were referred from

the NRIS Node design standard document.EE-is the textural pattern, FF-is the mineral

classification of soil and GG is the code given for different soil temperature. Final HH code is

given for benchmark / local series number in chronological order from (01-99).

Area assessment of different mapping unit was then carried out after finalization of digital

database. The area of each mapping unit is given in below table No- 4.4

29

Soil Series Association, District Pakur, Jharkhand

SMUCODE Soil Series Association Sq.Km % of area

009 Sarwan‐Patharia‐Bansidharpur(INRMT) 0.048 0.0

010 Sarjori‐Murabari‐Chitra 0.520 0.0

011 Murabari-Chitra-Dhababad 4.949 0.3

012 Dhababad-Asabani 20.472 1.1

013 Baramasia‐Brindawan(Forest) 271.738 15.0

014 Govindpur-Baramasia 19.213 1.1

015 Sahargaon-Laterite-Govindpur 72.263 4.0

016 Sahargaon-Baramasia 62.717 3.5

017 Baramasia 325.479 18.0

018 Patlahra-Sonajori 258.260 14.3

019 Mohanpur-Bansidharpur(INRMT)-Sonajori 262.988 14.5

020 Bansidharpur(INRMT) 70.746 3.9

021 Mohanpur-Bansidharpur(INRMT)-Baramasia 97.635 5.4

022 Mitial-Chandpur 33.841 1.9

023 Chandpur-Surni mod 67.785 3.7

024 Telepara-Sahargaon 197.554 10.9

025 Gullied Land 4.625 0.3

026 Habitation 3.173 0.2

027 Water Body 20.530 1.1

028 Mine 14.875 0.8

030 Sand 0.083 0.0

032 Water Logged 0.155 0.0

TOTAL 1809.65 100.04

4.7 Preparations of final soil maps

The soil layers were then integrated with base features i.e. road, major drainages,

administrative boundaries, settlements etc. and final cover was prepared in hard as well as soft

copies. The final cover indicates mapping units as per the specification given by JSAC expert

committee. Along with standardize attribute table. The soft copies are available for each sheet

separately as well as for district global cover.

30

Plate- 1

On Rajmahal Trap Denudational Hill on Rajmahal Traps – Lower Plateau Baramasia Series Sonajori Series

On Rajmahal Traps Upper Plateau Laterite on Rajmahal Traps Upper Plateau Laterite Barren Land. (Sahargaon Series). with Cultivated land use. (Telepara Series)

31

Plate‐2 On Gneisses – Valley alluvial plain On Gondwanas – On pediment Sarwan series Sarjori Series

On Gondwanas – Lower Pediplain, On Rajmahal Traps – Older flood plain‐ Dhababad Series Chandpur Series

32

CHAPTER 5 THE SOILS

5.1 Soil Generalities

The soil mapping carried out for Pakur district indicates that in all 19 soil series have been

mapped with 16 associations. Out of which 22 mapping units and 14 Units have parent material

Rajmahal Traps. 03 mapping units fall on Gondwanas sedimentary formation and 04 mapping

units fall on Gneisses formation.. 01 mapping unit falls on Gullied land.

The soil map of the total area of Pakur district indicates that 43.44 sq. km is covered by

townships, water bodies, mines, marshy land etc. A very small area of 0.80 Sq.Km district is

covered by metamorphic soils while the very large area of the district i.e. 1775.61 sq.km is

covered by Rajmahal trappean soils. An area of 4.62 Sq.km is covered by Gullied land soils.

The remaining area of 28.59 Sq.km is covered by Gondwanas soils. The metamorphic soils

cover a very small area lying in Eastern and SW part of the district. Similarly the Gondwanas

soils are exposed in Northern, NW part of district. Some sporadic patches are also occurs on

centre and SW part of the district. The trappean soils occur throughout the district.

5.2 Soil –landform relationship

The soil units have good correlation with physiographical units. The mapping unit number 13

and 14 lie on either hills covering an area of 290.95 sq.km. These soils are severely eroded

since the slope is > 15%. These soils are mostly covered by forest cover and are well drained.

While mapping unit 11 lie on upper Pediplain covering an area of 4.95 Sq.km. These soils are

moderately eroded with slopes less than 3%. The land use on the soil is forest and open scrubs.

Mapping units 15,16,17,24 are falling on upper plateau on Rajmahal traps covering an area of

658.01 Sq.Km. These soils are also moderately eroded; well drained and major land use on soil

is agriculture.

33

Units/soil code Landform Area in Sq.Km

13, 14, Hills 290.95

11 Upper Pediplain 4.95

10 Pediment 0.52

12 Lower Pediplain 20.47

15,16,17,24 Upper Plateau 658.01

18 Lower Plateau 258.26

9,19 Valley Fills 263.04

20,21,22,23 Alluvium 270.01

Table No 5.1 Soil-Land Form relationship

Mapping unit 18 falls on lower plateau of Rajmahal traps covering area of 258.26 Sq.km. These

soils area having slope less than 1%. These soils have low erosion and are well drained. The

major land use is agriculture.

While mapping unit 20,21,22,23 falls on alluvium covering area of 270.01 Sq.km. These soils

have very gentle slope less than 1 %. These soils have none to slight erosion and are also well

drained. The major land use on these soils is intensive agricultural practices.

Similarly mapping units 9, 19, lie on valley fills covering an area of 263.03 sq. km. These soils

have very narrow valley fill area with slope less than 1% with low erosion and are also well

drained.

5.3 Soil distribution and classification

Soil data collected from the field through interpretation, profiling and then chemical / mechanical

analysis were placed as per the standards of soil series formation and integrated in to Arc GIS

format to form the soil map of the district. Soil map of district Pakur shows that hills occupy

North, and NW part. Pediment occupies very small part in the centre of district.. Upper Pediplain

occupies Central part of the district. Lower Pediplain occupies small part on Western and NW

side. Upper plateau occupies Central, Southern and N-E part of district. Lower plateau on

34

Northern and , Central part. Valley fills on Northern, Central and Western and southern part with

alluvium.

The soil distribution with reference to physiographic units is shown in plate nos

Plate‐3

Hills Upper Pediplain

35

Pediment Lower Pediplain

Plate‐4

Upper Plateau Lower Plateau

36

Valley Fills Alluvium

Plate‐5

Water bodies Water Logged Area

37

Sand and Sandbar Area

CHAPTER-6 SOIL DEGRADATION STATUS

The soil degradation means loosing the original potential of soil due to various reasons such as

natural causes, increasing biotic pressure due to rise in population, human interference i.e.

unplanned excessive use, loss of top soil cover due to erosion and flooding. The generation of

soil requires very long period may be hundreds of years however the same can be degraded in

a very short time if remained unattended. Thus soil is very important natural resource which is

being exploited by human for various purpose mainly agriculture, forest vegetation, pasture

development etc. The soil is subject to degradation due to natural process as well human

influence. The soil erosion, inundation due to floods etc are the natural causes while excessive

irrigation, intensive farming, heavy use of fertilizers and deforestation are the results of human

influence. Pakur district is one of the backward districts and hence there are no evidences of

land degradation due to human interference because most of the cultivable area is under single

crop and thus lacks intensive farming. The socio-economic situation does not permit excess use

of fertilizers. The area under irrigation is also very low and therefore there are no chances of

land degradation due to excessive irrigation. However the natural causes of soil degradation

such as erosion, and acidic soils have been observed in the district.

6.1 Eroded Soils

The physiographic situation of the district is such that steep sloping hills are lying on the NW

part of the district and sloping towards SE direction. Therefore the alluvium is mostly found on

the SE and Eastern corner of the district. These soils are subject to erosion due to high velocity

of water running across the hills. Therefore the soils on the hills and foothill region are subject to

erosion. The soil series namely Baramasia, Brindavan (Forest), Govindpur, Sahargaon shows

severe to moderate erosion. The total area under these soils is 363Sq.km i.e. 20 % of the

geographical area of the district.

Similarly the district lies in heavy rainfall zone under the situation leaching of bases is expected

which results in formation of acidic soils. The soils in the district are in general acidic in which

the pH ranges from 4 to 6.5

38

6.2 Water Logging soils

Since major river like Ganges is not present in the Pakur district, the percentage of the water

logged area is less as compared to Sahibganj area. Only 0.15 Sq.Km area is present under

water logged soils.

6.3 Acidic Soils

The physiographic and rainfall situation of the district favors heavy leaching of the bases from

the top soil causing formation of acidic soils and as a result the soils of the district are in general

acidic as well as alkaline where the pH ranges from 4.9 to 8.2. Out of the 19 series in the district

16 series are acidic in nature and 03 series are alkaline.

6.4 Gullied lands

Very small areas 4.6 Sq.Km in isolated locations along the banks of streams are observed to be

gullied lands. However the extent is negligible.

6.5 Deforestation

The total forest area in the district is 272.25 Sq.Km confining to hills covering NW part of the

district however the forest is surrounded by open forest. This area shows degraded forest cover

at many locations is present as a result of rampant deforestation activity. The series Baramasia,

Brindavan forest are major soil series. The soils are also prone to erosion due to steep slopes.

39

Chapter-7 Interpretation of Soils for Land Resources Management

The soil map should be interpreted in a way which will be meaningful to the ultimate users. Soil

maps can be interpreted by the individual kinds of soils and by the grouping of soils. Such

interpretations provide the user with all the information that can be obtained from a map. The

kind of soil grouped and the variation permitted within each group differ according to the use to

be made of the grouping.

7.1 Land Capability Classification

The land capability classification is one of such important interpretative groupings. The

capability classification of land also begins with the individual soil mapping units. In this

classification the aerable soils are grouped according to their potentialities and limitations for

sustained production of commonly cultivated crops and the non-aerable soils (Soils unsuited for

longtime sustained use of cultivated crops) are grouped according to their potential and

limitations for the production of permanent vegetation.

Land Capability Classes

The land capability classification places all the soils in eight capability classes. The risk of soil

damage or limitation in use, become progressively greater from class I to Class VIII. Soils in the

first four classes under good management are capable of producing adapted plants such as

forest trees and common cultivated field crops and pastures. Soils in class V, VI and VII are

suited to use of adapted native plants. Some soils in classes V and VI are also capable of

producing specific crops such as certain fruits and ornamental plants with soils and water

conservation measures. The basic characteristics of capability classes are given below. Class

VIII soils and land forms have limitations that preclude their use for aerable and non-aerable

crops.

(a) Land suited to cultivation and other users.

Class-I Soils have few limitations that restrict their use.

Class-II Soils have some limitations that reduce the choices of plants or require moderate

conservation practices.

Class-III Soils have severe limitations that reduce the choice of plats or require special

conservation practices.

40

Class IV Soils have very severe limitations that restrict the choice of plants or require very

careful management or both.

(b) Land limited in use-generally not suited to cultivation

Class V Soils have little or no erosion hazard but have other limitations impractical to

remove limiting use to pasture woodland or wildlife food and cover.

Class VI Soils have severe limitations making them unsuited to cultivation and limit their

use largely to pasture woodland or wild life food and cover.

Class VII Soils have severe limitations making them unsuited to cultivation and restrict their

use to grazing, woodland or wild life.

Class VIII Soils and landforms have limitations that preclude their use for arable or non-

arable crops and restrict their use to recreation, wild life or water supply or to

aesthetic purposes.

Land Capability classes of soil association

The soil series in the study area on the basis of physical characters are classified in land

capability classes, II, IV, VI, VII, and VIII of which land capability class II covers major part of the

study area i.e. 55.77 % while land capability class IV covers only 7.46% of the study area. The

Land capability class VI covers 0.30% of the area. The land capability class VII covers 1.06 % of

the Pakur district. Land capability class VIII covers 33% of the study area. The rest of the area

2.40 % is unclassified as covered by settlement, water bodies, rivers, mines etc. The details of

the each land capability class are given below.

Land Capability Class-II

The land capability class II covers soil mapping unit number 9, 12,18,19,20,21,22,23, and 24.

The dominant series along with series association and area of each mapping unit is given in

table (Ref Table No 7.1)

Land Characteristics

The land capability class II is associated with soil occurring on Gangetic alluvial plain, lower

plateau and lower Pediplain. The slope ranging from very gentle to gentle. Occasionally these

41

soils are associated with moderately sloping soils with eroded phase. The soils are prominently

under paddy cultivation however vegetables and fruits are also grown at places.

Soil Characteristics

These soils are deep to very deep with fine loamy texture mostly non-calcareous. Most of the

soils have aquic moisture legend as can be judged from the mottles in the horizon. These soil

belongs to Sarwan (Aquic Haplustepts), Dhababad (Typic Haplustepts), Pathlahara ( Vertic

Haplustepts) , Mohanpur (Typic Haplustepts) , Banshidharpur (Vertic Haplustepts), Mitial (Typic

Haplustalfs), Chandpur (Aquic Haplustepts), Telepara (Typic Haplustepts). These soils are

susceptible to slight erosion and therefore needs soil conservation practices to protect the fertile

soil cover. The soils are very fertile and thus can sustain intensive cropping pattern.

The soil association showing Land capability classes under category II

Map Symbols Soil Association Class Area in Sq.Km 009 Sarwan-Patharia-Banshidharpur II 0.04 012 Dhabad-Asabani II 20.47 018 Pathlahra-Sonajori II 258.26 019 Mohanpur-Bansidharpur-Sonajori II 262.98 020 Bansidharpur II 70.74 021 Mohanpur-Bansidharpur-Baramasia II 97.63 022 Mitial-Chandpur II 33.84 023 Chandpur-Surni mod II 67.78 024 Telepara-Sahargaon II 197.55

Total 1009.32 Sq.Km

Table-7.1 Details of Land capability in Class-II in Pakur district

Land Capability Class-IV


The land capability class IV covers soil mapping unit number 15 and 16. The dominant series

along with series association and area of each mapping unit is given in table (Ref Table No 7.2)


These soils are shallow to moderately deep with fine mixed texture mostly non-calcareous. Most

of the soils have Lithic horizon in the profile and belong to inceptisols however occasionally

42

associated with entisols. These soil belongs to Sahargaon (Typic Haplustepts), Govindpur

(Lithic Haplustepts), and Baramasia (Lithic Ustorthents). These soils are well drained with

moderate to severe erosion and therefore needs soil conservation practices such as contour

bunding or farm bunding to protect the soil cover. The dominant land use is forest. These soils

can be exploited for dry land horticultural crops or for agro-forestry practices.

The soil association table showing capability classes under category IV

SMUCODE Soil series Association Land Capability Code

of Dominant Series Area in Sq.Km

15 Sahargaon-Laterite-Govindpur IV 72.26 16 Sahargaon-Baramasia IV 62.71

Total area 134.97

Table 7.2 Details of Land capability class IV in Pakur district

Land Capability Class-VI


The land capability class VI covers soil mapping unit number 10 and 11. The dominant series

along with series association and area of each mapping unit is given in table (Ref Table No 7.3)


These soils are moderately deep and falling on Gondwanas pediment or Pediplain with coarse

loamy to fine loamy texture mostly non-calcareous. Most of the soils have typic horizon in the

profile and belong to entisols and alfisols. These soils belong to Sarjori (Typic Haplustalfs)

Murabari (Typic Ustorthents) and Chitra (Typic Haplustalfs). These soils are well drained with

moderate erosion and therefore needs soil conservation practices such as contour bunding or

farm bunding to protect the soil cover. The dominant land use is rainfed paddy. These soils can

be exploited for dry land horticultural crops or for agro-forestry practices.

The soil association showing capability class under category VI

43

SMUCODE Soil series Association

Land Capability Code of Dominant

Series Area in Sq.Km 010 Sarjori-Murabari-Chitra VI 0.52 011 Murabari-Chitra-Dhababad VI 4.94

Total Area 5.46

Table 7.3 Details of Land capability class VI in Pakur district

Land Capability Class-VII


The land capability class VII covers soil mapping unit number 14. The dominant series along

with series association and area of each mapping unit is given in table (Ref Table No 7.4)


These soils are shallow to moderately deep and falling on pediment and foot hill slopes, with

loamy skeletal to coarse loamy. These are well drained and severely eroded. These soils have

Lithic and Typic horizon in the profile and belong to entisols and inceptisols. These soils belong

to Govindpur (Lithic Haplustepts). These soils are well drained with severe erosion and non-

aerable soils and therefore major land use is forest. It is essential to adopt forest conservation

measures. The dominant land use is forest.

The soil association showing capability classes under category VII

SMUCODE Soil series Association Land Capability

Code of Dominant Series

Area in Sq.Km

14 Govindpur-Baramasia VII 19.21 Total area

Table 7.4 Details of Land capability class VII in Pakur district

Land Capability Class-VIII


The land capability class VIII covers soil mapping unit numbers 13 and 17. The dominant series

along with series association and area of each mapping unit is given in table (Ref Table No7.5)

44


These soils are shallow soils falling on denudation hills with slope greater than 15%, with fine

loamy. The soils are excessively drained and severely eroded. Most of the soils Lithic horizon in

the profile and belong to entisols. These soils belong to Baramasia (Lithic Ustorthents),

Brindavan Forest (Typic Ustorthents). These soils are well drained with severe erosion and

non-aerable soils and therefore major land use is forest. It is essential to adopt forest

conservation measures. The dominant land use is forest. In order to control the erosion it is

essential to grow grasses on the barren soil covers.

The soil association showing capability classes under category VIII

SMUCODE Soil series Association Land Capability Code

of Dominant Series Area in Sq.Km

13 Baramasia-Brindawan-forest VIII 271.73

17 Baramasia VIII 325.47

Total Area 597.21

Table 7.5 Details of Land capability class VIII in Pakur district

Unclassified units

Rivers, water bodies, major settlement, gullied land, mine have not been classified and hence

shown separately by SMU-codes from 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, and 32. These together cover an area

of 43.44 Sq.km i.e. 2.40% of the study area.

7.2 Land and Soil Irrigability Classification

7.2.1 Land Irrigability Classification

The soils in the study area are classified under different land Irrigability classes based on

limitations of physical and land properties with due consideration to USBR soil Irrigability

classes. These are considered in the three basic headings viz soils (s), topography (t) and

drainage (d). These can be used for denoting sub-classes using the lower case letters s, t, and

d. singly or in combination such as st, sd etc. In all there are 06 land suitability classes as given

in below table

45

Table No 7.6 Land Irrigability and Hydrological Grouping of soils.

Class Suitability / Unsuitability 1 Highly suitable (aerable lands) 2 Moderately suitable (Aerable lands) 3 Marginally suitable (Aerable) lands 4 Suitable for special use or restricted range of crops 5 Unsuitable (non-arable) lands 6 Unsuitable (non-arable) lands

Increasing Productive Capacity

In all three Irrigability classes have been observed which are 2, 5 and 6 of which land Irrigability

class 2 is aerable while class 6 is non aerable while Irrigability class 5 is suitable for restricted

agricultural practices. The characteristics and series association of each Irrigability classes

observed in the study area are given below.

Land Irrigability class 2

The soil association under land irrigability class II has a moderate suitability for sustained use

under irrigation. These are aerable land. All the units represent sloppy to gently sloping alluvial

plain and lower plateau and Pediplain. The soils associated are moderate to very deep, well

drained and slightly eroded. Clay loams and clays but have a few soil related and topographic

limitation like flooding. Dominant soil unit associated with these are Sarwan, Sarjori, Murabari,

Dhababad, Bansidharpur, Mitial, Chandpur, Sonajori, Surni mod, Asabani and Telepara. These

units cover nearly 56% of the study area. These soils are under paddy cultivation as well as

orchards and vegetables and horticultural crops, paddy wheat and gram under rainfed

agriculture. These area can be cultivated for various irrigated crops like sugarcane, fruit crops

etc.

Land Irrigability Class 5

The soil association under land Irrigability class V is non aerable due to limitations of

topography and soil depth. These soils are occurring on foot hills and therefore are shallow in

depth and are also severely eroded thus not suitable for sustained use. These lands are either

barren or under degraded mixed forest and mixed grasses. The soils associated are

Sahargaon, Baramasia and Govindpur and covers 7.4 % of the geographical area.

Land Irrigability Class 6

46

The soil association under land Irrigability class VI is non aerable due to limitations of

topography and soil depth. These soils are occurring on hills, foot hills, ridges and plateau top

therefore are shallow in depth and are also severely eroded thus not suitable for sustained use.

These lands are under forest vegetation and the forest is dense to open. The soils associated

are Baramasia and Govindpur, Brindavan Forest and covers 34.06 % of the geographical area.

Table No 7.7Land Irrigability of soils

Land Irrigability classification in Pakur district Jharkhand

Map Symbol

Soil Association Land Irrigability Classification

Soil Irrigability Class

Area (Sq.Km)

Area (Percentage of total area)

Irrigability Class-II

009 Sarwan-Patharia-Bansidharpur

2d A 0.048 0.002

010 Sarjori-Murabari-Chitra 2d A 0.520 0.029 011 Murabari-Chitra-

Dhababad 2d A 4.94 0.27

012 Dhababad-Asabani 2d A 20.47 1.13 018 Pathlahra-Sonajori 2d A 258.26 14.27 019 Mohanpur-Bansidharpur-

Sonajori 2d A 262.98 14.53

020 Bansidharpur 70.74 3.91 021 Mohanpur-Bansidharpur-

Baramasia 2d A 97.63 5.39

022 Mitial-Chandpur 2d A 33.84 1.87 023 Chandpur-Surni mod 2d A 67.78 3.74 024 Telepara-Sahargaon 2sd A 197.55 10.92

Irrigability Class-V

015 Sahargaon-Laterite-Govindpur

5ts A 72.26 3.99

016 Sahargaon-Baramasia 5ts A 62.71 3.46 Irrigability Class-VI

013 Baramasia-Brindavan Forest

6ts A 271.73 15.02

014 Govindpur-Baramasia 6ts A 19.21 1.06

Table 7.7 Details of Land Irrigability in classes in Pakur district

7.3 Soil Suitability grouping for sustainable agriculture

47

The productivity of the soil is linked to inherent characteristics of soil, agro-litho logical setting

and land management. In order to achieve the sustainable development the understanding of

local features, potential and problems of soils is very essential. Which facilitate appropriate

planning for optimum utilization of aerable as well as non aerable area. Due to rise in population

in geometrical proportion the biotic pressure on land is also increasing as a result the per capita

availability of land is decreasing. The situation calls for judicious soil management practices to

achieve food security of the district. In view of this considering the soil characteristics of the

district following recommendations are made.

Present Scenario of Pakur District.

The Pakur district is basically mono crop growing district and paddy is the most dominant crop

in the area. Along with paddy other Khariff crops are also grown like pigeon pea, chick pea. In

addition to these Khariff crops such as wheat, soya bean, maize, and sorgam are also grown in

the district. The cropping intensity of the district is very low as very small percentage agriculture

land is under double crop. The irrigation potential of the district is just 3%. Thus rainfed

agricultural practices are followed in the district. However district does have potential of raising

double crops as area under land capability II is 55% of the geographical area. Similarly soils of

the area are suitable for raising horticultural crops. Based on these following recommendations

are given.

7.3. (a) Under Rainfed Agriculture

A large diversity of cropping system exist under rainfed and dry land agriculture over an over

riding practice of intercropping to cover of risk of single crop failure. Currently under rainfed

conditions only paddy is grown in the district and the land remain fallow during remaining period

of the year. The soils retains considerable amount of moisture after the harvest of wet season

which through proper management can be used for second crop. The best suitable crop rotation

considering the soil potential is recommended as under.

1. Rice – Rice

2. Rice-Wheat

3. Rice-Gram

48

4. Rice-Maize

7.3. (b) Under Irrigated Agriculture

The soils in the district are suitable for irrigation thus in order to increase agricultural

production it is essential to follow irrigation practices. The best possible use of irrigation can

be made by making available limited essential water for protective irrigation and using soil

moisture in combination with irrigation. The irrigation practices along with modern inputs

such as improved seed varieties , fertilizer the yield is expected to be higher i.e. 2.5 times

than the rainfed agricultural practices. Productive soils adequate water, rich natural

biodiversity and agro diversity is expected to enhance food production on unit piece of land.

Two main resources of water are surface water and ground water which needs to be tapped

to increase the agricultural production.

Mostly class II soils in the district can be brought under irrigation system where intensive

farming can be adopted under these programme. The area is suitable for raising cash crop

like sugar cane, vegetable crops, horticulture particularly mango sweet lime etc.

7.4 Cropping system and recommended crops

Currently the predominant crop which is grown in Pakur district is paddy; however other

Khariff crops like maize, pigeon pea, pulses are also gown. Like Khariff crop Aghani crops

are also sown at the time of Khariff crops but the harvesting season is January-February for

Aghani crops. The system demands intensification of crops in space and time dimension.

The length of growing period is the base that decides the make up of cropping system. In

Khariff season the rainfall in terms of quantity and distribution decides the effective cropping

system.

The area mainly belongs to paddy cropping which is permanently rainfed. The land on

succession of ridges and valleys are bunded with 0.5 to 1 mtrs high bunds depending upon

the type of soil and slope. As a result individual fields are small ranging between 0.25 to

0.50 ha. Only small area is under irrigation where paddy is grown after Khariff paddy. The

rotation of crop system is not usually followed.

The area experiences rainfall till late November thus residual moisture after paddy

harvesting and utilized for growing pulses like gram, mug, millets, maize, in rabi season.

Good residual moisture is expected in soils developed over Gangetic plain. The area is

49

suitable for growing wheat. The Rabi crops invariably should be supported with productive

irrigation through bore wells, lift irrigation through rivers, or canal water to increase the

agriculture production.

There is a good scope to utilize inland water resources to produce fresh water prawns to

ensure demand throughout the state and overseas. The state government should undertake

step for development of aquaculture under employment guarantee scheme. It should be an

integral part of developmental programme rather than cropping programme prevailing at

present.

Table No 7.8 Efficient cropping system for different rain dependent regions

Intercropping System Double Cropping System Water availability

Period (days) Base Crop Intercrop Rainy Season

Crop Post Rainy

Season Crop Up to 110 Pearl millet/

Cluster bean Cowpea / Green gram / Black gram

-- --

Ground nut / Pearl millet

-- --

110-150 Pearl millet/Sorghum/ Cluster bean

Green gram/ Pigeon pea

Cow pea/ black gram/ soybean

Safflower/ Chick pea / Mustard

Green gram / pearl millet

Mustard/Chick pea / Barley

150-175 Pearl millet / chick pea

Pigeon pea / moth bean / Barley/ Linseed / Mustard / Safflower

Green gram Sorghum

175-200 Ground nut / Pearl millet / Sorghum

Pigeon pea Green gram Sorghum

Cow Pea Sorghum Chick Pea Safflower Black gram Barley/Mustard Barley Mustard Pearl Millet Chick pea Maize Wheat / Chick

pea /Mustard -- -- Rice -- -- -- Sesame -- -- -- Chick pea -- 200-250 Sorghum / Pearl

millet / Maize Pigeon pea Sorghum /

Ground nut / maize

Chick pea/ safflower

soybean Pigeon-pea soybean Wheat Soybean

+maize Safflower / Chick Pea

50

Chick pea Mustard -- -- > 250 Rice / Finger millet

/ Soybean / Maize Pigeon pea Rice / maize /

Finger millet / ground nut

Wheat / Chick pea/ Linseed / Lentil / Horse gram / Barley

Wheat / Barley Chick pea / Mustard

Soybean Finger millet

Chick pea Mustard Pearl Millet Wheat

7.5 Horticulture Development

The Pakur district is almost neglected under fruit and vegetable crop cultivation. Encouragement

should be given for product diversification, and value addition. Vegetable farming needs to

develop on commercial scale through the distribution of improved seeds, planting material and

infrastructural facility such market, transport, storage wear house etc.

The major fruit crops which could be profitably cultivated in the district as Mango, Guava,

Jackfruit, Custard apple, Sweet lime, tapioca etc. Thought should be given to organically grown

fruit cultivation. Efforts should also be made to establish vermin-compost unit in each orchard

and readily available biomass such as rice husk, green grass and glarrioda should be used for

composting.

The area is suitable for Vegetable crops like potato, ginger, beans, brinjal, peas, etc. and should

be considered for profitable cultivation.

A very small area of Pakur district is covered by land capability class IV. These soils are suitable

for dry land horticultural activities as most of these soils occur at the foot hill thus have low

moisture regime however dry land horticulture activity if used in conjunction with traditional

Khariff crops to ensure the economical viability of agricultural practices.

Lime treatment

The soils of Pakur district are acidic in nature which needs immediate attention for increasing

production and improving soil structure therefore lime treatment should be invariably given to

the fertile soil of the area. The recommended dose for supply is 1 ton/ Ha for soils where pH

ranges from 4.9 to 6.5 however the lime dose may vary depending upon soil texture.

51

7.6 Forest forage and grassland development

The soils of land capability VI, VII and VIII cover nearly 621.89 sq.km. Most of the soils occur on

hill slopes, thus unsuitable for agricultural practices. However these soils can be productively

utilized for increasing vegetation cover to maintain much needed forest environment. These

areas are suitable for plantation of forest species. This would ensure protection of soil cover

which may deteriorate due to erosion. The plantation activity should be covered with grass

vegetation to ensure fodder for the milk animals in the district.

Following pasture development activity are recommended in Pakur area.

Pasture Species Minimum

Rainfall Soil Type

Seed rate

Kg/Ha

Dry Forage t/

ha

Grass

Blue panic (Panicum

antidotale) 500

Medium to heavy 4-5 2.5

Marvel (Dicanthium

annulatum) 375

Mixed red and black 7-8 2.5

Sum (Sehima nervosum) 300 Versatile 8-9 3.0

Bufel ( Lenchrus ciliaris) 300 Versatile 8-10 3.0

Bahia (Paspalum notadum) 450 Versatile 2-4 3.0

Dinanath (Pennisetm

pedicellatum) 400

Light 11-17 3.5

Legume

Stylo (Stylosanthes hamata) 450 Light to medium 4-6 2.5

Sirato(Macroptilium

atropurpureum) 500

Light to medium 7-8 2.8

Aparajit (Clitoria ternatea) 300 Light to medium 15-20 3.0

Table No 7.9 Suitable pasture species.

7.7 Hydrological grouping of soils, Water Harvesting, its storage and management.

7.7.1Hydrological soil groups

52

The hydrological soil groups indicate suitability of soils for sustained irrigation practice for

agriculture product. The grouping is based on soil limitations due to drainage, slope, erosion,

and depth. Soils with none to slight limitations due to erosion and drainage are classified in

group 1. Soils with moderate limitations are classified in group 2. The soils of group 3 have

severe limitations and thus unsuitable for irrigation practices. Soils with group 4 are non aerable

and have severe limitation for sustained irrigation. Group 5 soils also have severe limitations for

irrigation due to slope and shallow soil thickness and therefore non aerable.

On the basis of soil characteristics of the soil series of the study area have been classified

under 05 hydrological groups. Those are as under Ref table No-

Hydrological Grouping Definitions 1 None to slight limitations for sustained use under irrigation 2 Moderate soil limitations for sustained use under irrigation 3 Severe soil limitation for sustained use under irrigation 4 Very severe soil limitation for sustained use under irrigation 5 Not suited for irrigation

Table No 7.10 Hydrological Grouping table

Hydrological group 1.

Hydrological soil group 1 is represented by soil mapping units, 9, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23.

These soils have very slight limitations and thus are suitable for land irrigation practices. These

soils are suitable for intensive cropping pattern. The soil series namely Sarwan, Dhababad,

Pathlahra, Mohanpur, Bansidharpur, Mitial, and Chandpur are associated with this hydrological

soil group. These together cover 44.9 % of the study area. Ref (Table No 7.11)

HS Code‐PAKUR

SMUCODE Soil Series Association HS Code Sq.Km % of area

009 Sarwan‐Patharia‐Bansidharpur(INRMT) 1 0.048 0.0

012 Dhababad-Asabani 1 20.472 1.1

018 Patlahra-Sonajori 1 258.260 14.3

019 Mohanpur-Bansidharpur(INRMT)-Sonajori 1 262.988 14.5

020 Bansidharpur(INRMT) 1 70.746 3.9

021 Mohanpur-Bansidharpur(INRMT)-Baramasia 1 97.635 5.4

022 Mitial-Chandpur 1 33.841 1.9

023 Chandpur-Surni mod 1 67.785 3.7

010 Sarjori‐Murabari‐Chitra 2 0.520 0.0

011 Murabari-Chitra-Dhababad 2 4.949 0.3

53

024 Telepara-Sahargaon 2 197.554 10.9

015 Sahargaon-Laterite-Govindpur 3 72.263 4.0

016 Sahargaon-Baramasia 3 62.717 3.5

013 Baramasia‐Brindawan(Forest) 4 271.738 15.0

014 Govindpur-Baramasia 4 19.213 1.1

017 Baramasia 4 325.479 18.0

025 Gullied Land 4.625 0.3

026 Habitation 3.173 0.2

027 Water Body 20.530 1.1

028 Mine 14.875 0.8

030 Sand 0.083 0.0

032 Water Logged 0.155 0.0

TOTAL 1809.65 100.04


Hydrological soil group 2 is represented by soil mapping units, 10, 11 and 24. These soils have

some limitations and thus are suitable for limited land irrigation practices. These soils are

suitable for growing double crops or irrigated horticultural practices.. The soil series namely

Sarjori, Murabari and Telepara are associated with this hydrological soil group. These together

cover 11.2 % of the study area. Ref (Table No 7.11)


Hydrological soil group 3 is represented by soil mapping units, 15 and 16. These soils have

severe limitations in terms of erosion, depth and thus are not suitable for land irrigation

practices. These soils are suitable for growing dryland horticultural crops. The soil series namely

Sahargaon, Govindpur and Baramasia are associated with this hydrological soil group. These

together cover 7.5% of the study area. Ref (Table No 7.11)

Hydrological group 4

Hydrological soil group 4 is represented by soil mapping units, 13, 14 and 17. These soils have

very severe limitations in terms of erosion, depth and thus are not suitable for land irrigation

practices. These soils are non aerable lands and thus do not support agricultural practices

however suitable for forest vegetation. The soil series namely, Baramasia and Govindpur are

54

associated with this hydrological soil group. These together cover 34.1 % of the study area. Ref

(Table No 7.11)

7.7.2 Water Harvesting its storage and management

The Pakur district has a typical physiographical setup as nearly 16% of the total geographical

area is covered by hills and steep slopes where as 14.9 % of area is covered by alluvial plain.

Thus 2 contrasting physiographical features are laying juxtaposition. This peculiar situation is

very suitable for implementation of insitu soil moisture and water conservation measures. The

small first order streams emerging from high hill slopes is suitable for construction of gully plugs.

Series of gulley plugs should be taken to check the velocity of running water. The foot hill areas

are suitable for construction of earthen check dams. The alluvial plains are suitable for rain

water harvesting through farm ponds. The farm ponds are not only water harvesting structure

but also useful for protective irrigation under prolonged dry spells during rainy seasons. Contour

bunding is recommended on hill slopes to protect soil from erosion.

The density of irrigation wells in the district is very low. Under the situation currently there is no

need for implementation of artificial recharge projects.

55

CHAPTER 8 REFERENCES – Soil Series Description and Chemical Analysis Data

PATHARIA SERIES:‐

Patharia Series is a member of fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic, Fluentic Haplustepts and is in

association with Dum kaladek, Baran, Barara, Sarwan, Banshidharpur Series. It comprises of very deep

sandy loam having strongly acidic to slightly acidic with B horizons clay to clay loam to sandy loam.

These are found to occur on very gently to gently sloping with moderate erosion, well drained with

moderate permeability. These are bunded paddy lands.

They have good available moisture content, low in Organic Carbon and available phosphorus and

potassium. Micro nutrients status is moderate.

Typifying Pedon:

Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)

Ap 0‐12 cm Dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4 D); sandy loam; weak sub‐angular

blocky; dry loose, friable; many fine roots; strongly acid (pH 5.4);

diffuse boundary

Bw1 12‐32 cm Brown (10YR 5/3 D); clay; weak medium sub‐angular blocky; dry hard,

friable, non‐sticky, non‐plastic; few fine roots; medium acid (pH 6.0);

diffuse boundary

. Bw2 32‐55 cm Brown( 10YR 5/3 D); clay loam; medium sub‐angular blocky; dry

hard; firm; sticky; plastic; slightly acid (pH 6.1); diffused boundary

. Bw3 55‐110 cm + Yellowish brown( 10YR 5/6 D); sand loam; massive; dry loose, friable,

non‐sticky, non‐plastic; slightly acid (pH 6.4).

Range in Characteristics:‐

56

Solum thickness ranges from 110‐130 cm. Soil colour varies from 10 YR in hues while 4‐5 in values and 3‐

6 in chroma. Surface texture horizons sandy loam to loam. Sub surface texture varies from clay to clay

loam. Structure ranges from weak sub angular blocky to medium sub angular blocky.

Distribution and Extent: Patharia series covers an area of 0.01 Sq.Km in Pakur District, Jharkhand.

Type Location:‐ 24° 16' 47'' N and 86° 34' 48'' E, Profile no 107, Sheet no 72 L/11

Series Proposed/Status

Interpretation Grouping:‐

i) Land capability sub class : ‐ II ii) Irrigability sub class : ‐ 2d

Soil Analytical Data of Patharia Series

Horizon

Depth cm

Sand %

Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm

)%

Bulk Density

(M gm-3) Moisture (m3 m3x100)

at pH

EC (ds

m-1) OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

Ap 0-12 78.9 3.6 17.5 NIL 1.7 19.1 11.2 5.4 0.04 0.53 NIL

Bw1 12 32 43.4 16.5 40.1 NIL 1.5 43.7 24.9 6 _ 0.13 NIL

Bw2 32-55 50.8 16.7 32.5 NIL 1.6 40.9 25.1 6.1 _ 0.18 NIL

Bw3 55-110 79.5 3.2 17.3 NIL 1.7 20.5 9.5 6.4 0.02 0.13 NIL

Extractable cations [ cmol(p+)kg-1]

Available(mg kg-1) Micro nutrients (mg litres-1)

Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC [cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS

P2O5 K2O Zn++ Mn++ Cu++ Fe++ 3.8 1.4 0.3 0.3 7.9 73.4 3 58 1.32 20.7 3.4 37.7 6.8 3.2 0.4 0.6 16 68.7 3 40 0.61 25.7 3 23.6 5.6 3.3 0.4 0.4 13.8 70.2 3 50 0.3 10.1 1.1 9.1 3.7 1.6 0.3 0.2 7.9 73.4 3 48 0.17 5.9 0.5 5.8

57

SARWAN SERIES:‐

Sarwan Series is a member of fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic, Aquic haplustepts and is in association

with Patharia and Banshidharpur Series. It comprises of dark grayish brown to dark brown, deep, well

drained, clayey soil. They are developed over very gently sloping alluvial plains. They are having good

water holding capacity. Medium to neutral in acidic reaction.

These are high in organic matter on surface while deficient in available phosphorus. However these are

sufficient in available potassium. These are mainly used under paddy, maize, wheat, bangal gram and

vegetables like potatoes.

Typifying Pedon:


Ap 0‐15cm Dark grayish brown ( 10YR 4/2 D); clay; medium moderate sub‐angular

blocky; dry very hard, very firm, very sticky, plastic; many fine roots;

medium acid (pH 6.0); gradual smooth boundary; 3cm wide crack

developed upto50cm depth.

Bw1 15‐40 cm Very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2 D); silty clay; medium moderate

sub angular blocky; dry very hard, very firm, very sticky, non plastic;

many fine roots; neutral (pH 6.9); clear smooth boundary.

Bw2 40‐65 cm Dark brown (10YR 3/3 D); clay loam; medium moderate sub‐angular

blocky; dry very hard, firm, sticky, plastic; many fine roots; neutral

(pH 6.9).

C 65+ cm Weathered material


Solum thickness varies from 65 to 80 cm. the Ap horizon is 12‐15 cm. thick with colour 10 YR and 4 as

value and 2 as chroma. Sub soil colour varies from very dark grayish brown to dark brown. The thickness

of sub surface horizon ranges from 40‐50 cm. the structure grades from medium moderate sub angular

blocky to loose alluvial material of massive nature.

58

Distribution and Extent: Sarwan series covers an area of 0.02 Sq.Km in Pakur District, Jharkhand.

Type Location :‐ 24° 22' 24'' N and 86° 46' 45'' E, Profile no 144, Sheet no 72 L/15



i) Land capability sub class : ‐ II

ii) Irrigability sub class : ‐ 2d

Soil Analytical Data of Sarwan Series

Horizon

Depth

cm

Sand

%

Silt

%

Clay

%

Gravel

(>2mm)%

Bulk Density


at pH

EC

(ds m-1)

OC

%

CaCO3

(g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

Ap 0-15 40.5 18.2 41.3 NIL 1.5 45.1 21.5 6 0.12 1.19 NIL

Bw1 15-40 16.5 43 40.5 NIL 1.5 44 20.5 6.9 0.25 0.27 NIL

Bw2 40-65+ 53.4 18.4 28.2 NIL 1.6 31.5 18.5 6.9 0.15 0.27 NIL


Available(mg kg-1)

Micro nutrients (mg litres-1)

Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC [ [cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS

P2O5 K2O Zn++ Mn++ Cu++ Fe++

8.8 2.5 0.8 0.5 19.5 64.6 4 150 2.46 28.4 6.3 29.5

8 4.7 0.8 0.5 18.4 76 3 72 0.23 9.8 1.6 5.3

4.8 3.9 0.3 0.3 12.9 72 4 64 0.56 10.6 1.2 5.4

59

SARJORI SERIES:‐

Sarjori Series is a member of Coarse loamy, mixed, hyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts and is in association

with Murabari and Chitra Series. It comprises brownish yellow to yellowish brown and brown, deep,

loamy sand, well drained, developed over weathered Sandstone on moderately to slightly sloping

pediment.

These are very strong acid to strongly acidic in nature, moderate in moisture content, deficient in

organic matter and available phosphorus, moderate in available potassium. these are mostly under the

cover of mixed deciduous forest.

Typifying Pedon:

Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm) A11 0‐13 cm Brownish yellow (10YR 6/6 D); loamy sand; single grained to sub‐

angular blocky; dry loose, very friable; many fine roots; very strongly

acid (pH 4.7); diffuse boundary.

A12 13‐28 cm Yellowish brown (10YR 5/6 D); sand loam; moderate medium sub‐

angular blocky; dry loose, friable; common medium roots; strongly

acid (pH 5.5); diffuse boundary.

A2 28‐55 cm Brown ( 10YR 5/3 D); sand loam; moderate medium sub‐angular

blocky; dry loose, friable; common medium roots; strongly acid (pH

5.3).

C 55+ Weathered material.


Solum thickness ranges from 50‐60 cm. underlain by weathered Sandstone material. Upper horizon

ranges brownish yellow 10 YR 6/6 loamy sand, while subsurface horizons becomes yellowish brown 10

YR 5/6, sandy loam, while last layer confines to brown 10 YR 5/3. Structure varies from single grain on

surface to medium weak subangular blocky.

Distribution and Extent: Sarjori series covers an area of 0.31 Sq.Km in Pakur District, Jharkhand

61

Type Location: ‐ 24° 81' 23'' N and 86° 50' 25'' E, Profile no 136, Sheet no 72 L/16



i) Land capability sub class : ‐ VI ii) Irrigability sub class : ‐ 2d

Soil Analytical Data of Sarjori Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)

%

Bulk Density


at pH

EC (ds

m-1) OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

A11 0-13 90.7 3.2 6.1 NIL 1.7 14.4 6.3 4.7 _ 0.18 NIL

A12 13-28 77.5 5.3 17.2 NIL 1.6 29.1 15.5 5.5 _ 0.35 NIL

A2 28-55+ 78.4 3.4 18.2 NIL 1.7 28.9 16 5.3 _ 0.18 NIL


Available(mg kg-1)


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC [

[cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS


1.2 0.1 2.7 48.1 3 72 1.19 18.2 1.4 17.9

3.2 1.4 0.2 0.3 8.8 57.9 3 70 0.49 14.2 0.6 12.1

3 1.6 0.2 0.4 8.1 64.1 3 66 66 32.7 1.6 25.9

62

MURABARI SERIES:‐

Murabari Series is a member of coarse loamy. mixed, hyperthermic, Typic Ustorthents and is in

association with Sarjori, Chitra, and Dhababad Series. These are very shallow to shallow, and reddish

yellow in colour. Strongly acidic, loamy soil underlain by weathered Sandstone parent material. These

are found to occur on moderate to strongly sloping pediment. These are moderately eroded, well

drained, rapidly permeable soil. They have poor moisture holding capacity.

These are strongly acidic with low in organic matter and available phosphorus and Zinc but are

moderate in available potassium. these are mostly under mixed forest occasionally some patches of

cultivated rice are found under bunding.

Typifying Pedon:


A11 0‐6 cm Reddish yellow ( 7.5 YR 7/6 D); loamy sand ;fine sub‐angular blocky;

dry slightly hard; few fine roots; very strongly acid (pH 4.8); clear

smooth boundary.

A12 6‐20 cm Reddish yellow (7.5 YR 6/6 D); gravelly sandy clay loam; moderate

medium sub angular blocky; dry slightly hard, firm; few fine roots;

strongly acid (pH 5.1); clear smooth boundary.

C 20‐70 cm + weathered sandstone


Solum depth ranges from 15‐20 cm. Texture of surface horizon ranges from loamy sand to sandy loam

and that in subsurface is sandy loam to gravelly sandy clay loam. Colour is reddish yellow throughout

with 7.5 YR as hues while values changes from 6‐7 chroma remain as 6 throughout. Structure is weakly

developed to finely developed sub angular blocky. While subsurface structure is moderate medium sub

angular blocky.

Distribution and Extent: Murabari series covers an area of 3.11 Sq.Km in Pakur District, Jharkhand

63

Type Location: ‐ 24° 07' 07 ''N and 86° 49' 59'' E, Profile no 135, Sheet no 72 L/16



i) Land capability sub class : ‐ VI ii) Irrigability sub class : ‐ 2d

Soil Analytical Data of Murabari Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)

%

Bulk Density


at pH

EC (ds

m-1) OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

A11 0-6 91.8 3.2 5 NIL 1.7 13 5.2 4.8 0.03 0.26 NIL

A12 6 20 69.2 8.1 22.7 17 1.6 31.5 15 5.1 _ 0.18 NIL


Available(mg kg-1)


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC

[cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS


1.1 Traces 0.1 Traces 2.2 54.5 3 72 0.56 15.8 0.3 13.3

3.9 2.1 0.3 0.5 10.3 66 3 60 0.03 27.4 0.2 14.9

64

CHITRA SERIES:‐

Chitra Series is a member of fine loamy, mixed hyperthermic, Typic Haplustalfs and is in association with

Sarjori, Murabari and Dhababad Series. They are deep to very deep soils, sandy clay loam to clay loam,

strongly acidic. Bt horizons are comprises of sandy clay and gravelly sandy clay loam underlain by

Sandstone parent material. These are found to occur on very gently to gently sloping on upper

Pediplain. They are moderately eroded, well drained, good paddy land.

They have good water holding capacity and are deficient in organic matter and phosphorus while

sufficient in available potassium. These are mostly under rain fed paddy.

Typifying Pedon:


Ap 0‐9 cm Reddish yellow ( 7.5 YR 7/8 D); sandy clay loam ;massive; dry slightly

hard, firm, non‐sticky, non‐plastic; few common roots; strongly acid

(pH 5.2); clear smooth boundary.

Bt1 9‐32 cm Reddish yellow ( 7.5 YR 6/6 D); sandy clay loam ;massive; dry slightly

hard, firm; few fine roots; strongly acid (pH 5.4); clear wavy boundary.

Bt2 32‐42 cm Light brown ( 7.5 YR 6/4 D); gravelly sandy clay loam, ;moderate medium sub‐angular blocky ; dry hard, firm; thick patchy argillans few fine roots; strongly acid , (pH 5.5); diffuse boundary.

Bt3 42‐65 cm + Strong brown (7.5 YR 5/6 D); gravelly sandy clay loam; medium sub‐

angular blocky; dry hard, firm; thick patchy argillans few fine roots;

strongly acid (pH 5.1).


Solum depth varies from 65‐90 cm. texture of surface soil is sandy clay loam with reddish yellow, 7.5 YR

7/8 to light brown 7.5 YR 6/4 in hues of 7.5 YR values varies 6‐7 respectively. The sub surface colour of

Bt horizon varies from reddish yellow to strong brown with a variation in values from 5‐6 chroma. The

structure varies from massive to medium moderate sub angular blocky.

65

Distribution and Extent: Chitra series covers an area of 1.48 Sq.Km in Pakur District, Jharkhand





Soil Analytical Data of Chitra Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)%

Bulk Density

(M gm-3) Moisture (m3 m3x100) at pH

EC (ds m-1)

OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

Ap 0-9 72.2 7.8 20 NIL 1.6 27.9 15.9 5.2 _ 0.22 NIL

Bt1 9 32 65.4 6 28.6 NIL 1.6 32.1 14.5 5.4 _ 0.1 NIL

Bt2 32-42 48.5 15 36.5 14.5 1.6 40.5 20.3 5.5 _ 0.1 NIL

Bt3 42-65+ 44.5 20 35.5 15 1.6 40.1 19.9 5.1 _ 0.13 NIL


Available(mg kg-1)


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC

[[cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS


3.4 1.5 0.3 0.3 9.1 60.4 4 130 0.76 16.9 0.6 17.2

3.8 2 0.4 0.4 13 50.7 3 164 0.66 8.5 0.4 7.8

5.3 1.5 0.6 0.5 14.8 69 4 108 0.16 12.3 0.5 7.6

6.8 1.4 0.6 0.6 14.5 64.8 3 130 0.27 13 0.6 8.2

66

DHABABAD SERIES:‐

Dhababad Series is a member of fine, mixed, hyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts and is in association with

Murabari, Chitra and Asabani Series. It comprises of deep to very deep soil, sandy clay loam, extremely

acidic. Plough horizon is yellowish brown 5 YR, clay loam, medium acidic to slightly acidic, It is found to

occur on gently sloping lower Pedeplain on Sandstone as parent material. They are well drained with

moderate permeability.

The good available moisture content, low in organic matter and available phosphorus, and medium in

available potassium in surface while at lower depth available potassium is becoming deficient. Zinc is

deficient while iron and manganese sufficient and lowering down to sub soil. These are bunded paddy

lands suitable to cultivation of paddy under rain fed conditions.

Typifying Pedon:


Ap 0‐10 cm Brown ( 10 YR 5/3 D); sandy clay loam; fine weak sub angular blocky;

dry hard, firm, slightly sticky, non‐plastic; many fine roots; extremely

acid (pH 4.5); clear smooth boundary.

Bt1 10‐23 cm Yellowish brown ( 10 YR 5/4 D); clay loam; fine weak sub angular

blocky; dry hard, firm, sticky, plastic; thin discontinuous argillians; few

fine roots; medium acid (pH 5.8); clear smooth boundary.

Bw1 23‐43 cm Brown ( 10 YR 5/3 D); gravelly silt loam; fine weak sub angular blocky;

dry slightly hard, firm, slightly sticky, plastic; many continuous

argillians few fine roots; few Fe‐Mn concretions; medium acid (pH

5.7); clear smooth boundary.

Bt2 43‐65 cm + Yellowish brown ( 10 YR 5/4 D); silty clay; medium moderate sub

angular blocky; few clay cracks, dry very hard, firm, sticky, plastic;

thick patchy argillians; slightly acid (pH 6.

67


Solum depth ranges to 65‐90 cm. Texture of surface horizon ranges from sandy clay loam to clay loam

and clay loam to silty clay in sub soil horizon. Soil colour of surface horizon varies from brown 10 YR 5/3

to yellowish brown 10 YR 5/4 with a variation in chroma ranging from 3‐4. The sub surface soil colour

varies from yellowish brown to brown 10 YR 5/4 and 10 YR 5/3 excepting in the change in chroma. Soil

structure varies from fine weak sub angular blocky to moderate medium sub angular blocky.

Distribution and Extent: Dhababad series covers an area of 12.77 Sq.Km in Pakur district, Jharkhand





Soil Analytical Data of Dhababad Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)

%

Bulk Density


at pH EC

(ds m-1) OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

Ap 0-10 63.5 15.3 21.2 NIL 1.6 28 15.2 4.5 _ 0.45 NIL

Bt1 10 23 55.5 14.5 30 NIL 1.6 34.1 18.5 5.8 _ 0.13 NIL

Bw1 23-43 36.4 38.6 25 NIL 1.5 31.2 15.7 5.7 _ 0.1 NIL

Bt2 43-65+ 24.5 40 35.5 NIL 1.5 39.2 18.9 6.5 _ 0.1 NIL


Available(mg kg-1)


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC

[cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS


4.2 1.8 0.3 0.3 9.5 69.4 3 74 0.77 32.2 3.1 24.2

6.1 1.9 0.4 0.4 12.5 70.4 3 48 0.48 23.6 1.4 20.2

68

5.1 2 0.5 0.4 11.1 72 4 46 0.12 10.6 1.1 7.1

7 2.8 0.6 0.6 13 84.6 3 52 0.18 8.4 0.7 7

ASABANI SERIES:‐

Asabani Series is member of Fine, mixed, hyperthermic, Oxy‐aquic Haplustalfs. It consists of shallow to

moderately deep, silty clay to clay with grayish brown to dark yellowish brown, very strong to medium

acid developed over weathered Sandstone material. These Soils are found occurring on nearly leveled

lower pediplain.

These are low in erosion, well drained with moderate permeability. These are under rice (rain feed) with

Bamboo, Mango and Tad as surrounding vegetation.

These soils are deficient in available P2O5 and K2O and also deficient in Organic carbon and zinc. Asabani

Series occurs in association with Dhababad Soil Series.

Typifying Pedon:


Ap 0‐14 cm Grayish brown ( 10 YR 5/2 D); silty clay; fine weak sub‐angular blocky;

dry hard, firm, sticky, plastic; many fine roots; very strong acid (pH


Bt1 14‐26 cm Dark yellowish brown ( 10 YR 4/4 D); clay; medium moderate sub

angular blocky; dry very hard, firm, very sticky, plastic; patchy thick

argillians many fine roots; medium acid (pH 5.9); abrupt smooth

boundary.

C 26‐70 cm + weathered sandstone.

69


The Solum thickness is 26 cm. The Ap horizon is 14 cm thick with hues of 10YR and 5/2 to 4/2. the

texture surface horizon is mainly silty clay to clay. The thickness of sub surface horizon is 12 cm with

colour with same hues as of surface horizons but values of 4 to 5 and cromas of 2‐4. the soil texture is

predominantly clay. The structure grades from fine weak to medium moderate sub angular blocky.

Distribution and Extent: Asabani series covers an area of 8.18 Sq.Km in Pakur district, Jharkhand

Type Location: 24° 06' 43'' N and 86° 49' 07'' E, Profile no 134, Sheet no 72 L/16

Series Proposed/Status:

Interpretation Grouping:

i) Land capability sub class : II ii) Irrigability sub class : 2sd

Soil Analytical Data of Asabani Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)%

Bulk Density


EC (ds m-1)

OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

Ap 0-14 21.2 52.5 26.3 NIL 1.6 30.9 17 5 _ 0.36 NIL

Bt1 14-26 30.3 22.4 47.3 NIL 1.5 46.9 26 5.9 0.03 0.18 NIL


Available(mg kg-1)


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC

[cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS


70

3.8 2.2 0.5 0.5 10.6 56.6 4 48 0.59 32.5 2.8 37.3

10.9 3 0.7 0.8 19.7 78.1 3 44 0.39 28.2 1.1 15.6

BARAMASIA SERIES:‐

Baramasia Series is a member of fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic, Lithic Ustorthents with association of

Brindavan forest soil series and Govindpur soil series. These soils comprises of brown to yellowish

brown, very shallow, excessively drained, severely eroded. These are developed over weathered Basalt

on denudation hill. These are unbundled soils under open moderately deep densely mixed deciduous

forest vegetation.

These are strongly acid soils with poor moisture holding capacity. These soils have low organic carbon,

phosphorus and zinc however these are moderate to high in available potassium. These are not fit for

agriculture due to topography. It should be protected from grazing and deforestation by adopting

contour trenching, fencing and afforestation.

Typifying Pedon:


A 0‐6.0 cm Brown ( 10 YR 5/3 D); gravelly sandy clay loam; Fine weak sub angular blocky; dry loose; firm; Slightly sticky; non plastic; many fine roots; strongly acid (pH 5.4); clear smooth boundary. C 6.0‐40 cm + weathered basalt mixed with soil matrix.


Solum depth ranges from 6 to 7.5 cm with dominant colours in hues of 10 YR and values 5/3. These soils

have no diagnostic horizon. A horizon is brown underlain by weathered Basalt. Although texturally

gravelly sandy clay loam but weak sub angular blocky structure.

71

Distribution and Extent: Baramasia series covers an area of 530.91 Sq.Km in Pakur District.

.

Type Location: ‐ 24° 51' 22'' N and 87° 39' 55'' E, Profile no 19, Sheet no 72 P/9



i) Land capability sub class : VIII ii) Irrigability sub class : 6ts

Soil Analytical Data of Baramasia Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)%

Bulk Density


EC (ds m-1)

OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

A 0-6 54.6 14.3 31.1 15.3 1.5 33.7 18 5.4 _ 0.26 Nil


Available(mg kg-1)


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC

[cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS


5.6 1.7 0.7 0.6 12.7 67.7 3 170 0.88 15.3 1.2 12.4

72

BRINDAWAN FOREST SERIES:‐

Brindavan Series is a member of fine, mixed, hyperthermic, Typic Ustorthents. it is in association with

Baramasia series. It consists of very shallow to shallow with dark grayish brown to brown, neutral

developed over Basalt. These are found to occur on denudation hills, strongly to extremely hill side

slope. These are severely eroded, excessively drained with rapid permeability. These are unbundled soil

under moderately dense mixed deciduous forest vegetation.

They are having poor moisture holding capacity and due to high runoff. These series has high organic

carbon due to decaying of forest vegetation, high available potash but low in available phosphorus.

These are not suitable for agriculture due to its topography and should be protected from grazing

deforestation, by contour trenching, fencing and afforestation.

Typifying Pedon:


A 0‐20cm Dark grayish brown ( 10 YR 5/3 D); gravelly sandy clay loam; fine weak sub‐angular blocky; dry slightly hard, friable, sticky, plastic; many medium roots; neutral (pH 6.6); clear smooth boundary. C 20‐120cm + Weathered basalt.


Solum depth ranges from 18‐24 cm with colours dominantly dark greyish brown to brown. A horizon has

20 cm thickness underlain by weathered Basalt. Surface horizon is mainly gravelly sandy clay loam with

weakly formed sub angular blocky structure.

73

Distribution and Extent : Brindawan Forest Series covers an area of 108.69 Sq.Km in Pakur district,

Jharkhand

.

Type Location: ‐ 25° 01' 49'' N and 87° 41' 34'' E, Profile no 86, Sheet no 72 O/12



i) Land capability sub class : ‐ VIII ii) Irrigability sub class :‐ 6ts

Soil Analytical Data of Brindavan Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)%

Bulk Density


EC (ds m-1)

OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

A 0-20 39.5 20.1 40.4 NIL 1.5 46.2 25.3 6.6 0.07 2.16 NIL


Available(mg kg-1)


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC

[[cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS


9.5 2.3 0.7 0.6 20.1 65.6 3 236 1.78 18.6 1.3 28.1

74

GOVINDPUR SERIES:‐

Govindpur Series is a member of fine, mixed, hyperthermic, Lithic Haplustepts and is in association with

Baramasia and Sahargaon Series. These are having reddish yellow to strong brown, medium acidic, clay

to silty clay texture, The B horizon underlain by lateritic material of Basaltic origin. These are severely

eroded, excessively drained. They have moderate water holding capacity, medium acidic,

These are low in organic matter and available phosphorus. While high in available potassium. They are

mostly under denudation hill with moderately steep to steep sloping land with degraded forest, no

cultivation patches occur in this area.

Typifying Pedon:


A1 0‐9 cm Reddish yellow ( 7.5 YR 6/6 D); clay; fine weak sub angular blocky; dry slightly hard, firm, sticky, plastic; ex. fine roots; medium acid (pH 5.9); clear smooth boundary.

Bw1 9‐20 cm Strong brown (7.5 YR 5/8 D); silty clay; medium moderate subangular blocky; dry hard, firm, sticky, slightly plastic; medium acid (pH 5.9); clear wavy boundary.

C 20‐58 cm Laterite (Basalt).


Solum thickness ranges from 15‐20 cm. Surface soil is reddish yellow becoming strong brown in

subsurface soil. Although hue is 7.5 YR, values varies from 5‐6 6‐8 in chroma. Surface texture varies from

clay loam to clay while sub soil texture varies from clay to silty clay. Surface structure confines to fine

weak sub angular blocky becoming moderate medium sub angular blocky.

Distribution and Extent: Govindpur series covers an area of 40.42 Sq.Km in Pakur district, Jharkhand

75




i) Land capability sub class : ‐ VII ii) Irrigability sub class : ‐ 6ts

Soil Analytical Data of Govindpur Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)

%

Bulk Density


at pH EC

(ds m-1) OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

A1 0-9 39.5 20.1 40.4 NIL 1.5 42.9 24.9 5.9 0.04 0.62 NIL

Bw1 9 20 16.4 41.3 42.3 NIL 1.5 44.5 24.9 5.9 _ 0.4 NIL


Available(mg kg-1)


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC

[cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS


8.9 3.4 0.7 0.6 17.4 75.8 3 274 1.27 20.8 1 22.8

8.8 3.2 0.7 0.6 16.9 78.1 3 84 0.2 3.8 0.6 4.8

76

SAHARGAON SERIES:‐

Sahargaon Series is a member of fine, mixed, hyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts and is in association with

Baramasia, Govindpur and Telepara Series. It comprises of very shallow to shallow, clay loam to clayey

having light reddish brown to reddish brown, strongly acidic soils. B horizon is underlain by weathered

material of Basalt. These soils are found to occur on moderately sloping upper plateau.

These are moderate to severely well drained soil, low to moderate moisture content, deficient in organic

matter, available phosphorus, potassium and zinc. These are mostly barren grassland uncovered being

severely eroded. No vegetative cover found however at times few patches under paddy cultivation

found to occur under bunding.

Typifying Pedon:


A1 0‐11 cm Light reddish brown ( 5 YR 6/4 D); clay loam; medium moderate sub‐

angular blocky; dry slightly hard, firm, slightly sticky, non‐plastic;

many fine roots; strongly acid (pH 5.5); clear smooth boundary.

Bw1 11‐21 cm Reddish brown ( 5 YR 5/4 D); clay; massive; dry slightly hard, firm,

sticky, plastic; few fine roots; strongly acid (pH 5.4); diffuse boundary.

C 21+ Weathered material.


Solum depth ranges from 18‐25 cm. Texture of surface ranges from loam to clay loam and that in

subsurface clay loam to clay with 5 YR as hues and 5‐6 in values with 4 as chroma throughout. Surface

structure is moderate medium while at lower depth it becomes massive.

Distribution and Extent: Sahargaon series covers an area of 159.99 Sq.Km in Pakur District, Jharkhand

78




i) Land capability sub class : ‐ IV ii) Irrigability sub class : ‐ 5ts

Soil Analytical Data of Sahargaon Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)

%

Bulk Density


at pH

EC (ds

m-1) OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

A1 0-11 50.3 19 30.7 NIL 1.6 33.9 17 5.5 0.02 0.48 NIL

Bw1 11 21 39.2 20 40.8 NIL 1.5 41.2 25 5.4 _ 0.84 NIL


Available(mg kg-1)


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC

[cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS


4.1 3.5 0.7 0.6 12.3 72.3 3 58 0.38 26.1 2.6 21.1

8.5 3.1 0.6 0.7 16.6 77.7 3 68 0.44 26.8 6.2 21.4

79

PATHLAHRA SERIES:‐

Pathlahra Series is a member of fine, mixed, hyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts and is associated with

Sonajori series. It is very deep soil, light yellowish brown to dark brown, strongly acidic. Plough horizon

developed over Basalt parent material. These soils occur on lower plateau with imperfectly drained.

These are bunded and brought under paddy cultivation.

Iron concretions are found in diffused state. These soils are acidic on surface and are neutral to mildly

alkaline at lower depth. Organic Carbon is moderate while available phosphorous and zinc are deficient,

available potassium is moderate. These are being used for paddy land.

Typifying Pedon:


Ap 0‐15 cm Light yellowish brown ( 10 YR 6/4 D); silty clay; medium moderate sub

angular blocky; dry very hard, firm, sticky, plastic; many fine roots;

strongly acid (pH 5.3); clear smooth boundary.

A2 15‐29 cm Light yellowish brown ( 10 YR 6/4 D); silt loam; fine weak sub‐angular

blocky; dry very hard, firm, sticky, plastic; few fine roots; very few iron

concretions in diffused state; neutral (pH 6.9); clear smooth boundary.

B21 29‐47 cm Light yellowish brown ( 10 YR 6/4 D); silty clay loam; medium

moderate sub angular blocky; dry hard, firm, sticky, plastic; pressure

faces; few iron concretions in diffused state: neutral (pH 6.9); clear

smooth boundary.

2B22 47‐65 cm Brown ( 10 YR 5/3 D); clay; medium moderate sub angular blocky; dry

very hard, very firm, very sticky, very plastic; silken sides; neutral (pH


2B23 65‐82 cm + Dark brown ( 10 YR 3/3 D); clay loam; medium moderate angular

blocky; dry hard, firm, sticky, plastic; mildly alkaline (pH 7.4).

80


The Solum thickness is 82 cm. Surface horizon is 15 cm thick with 10 YR 6/4 with silty clay, medium

developed sub angular blocky structure. Sub surface horizon is light yellowish brown to dark brown 10

YR 6/4 with values 5‐6 and 3‐4 changes in chromas, although structure of sub soil horizon is are fine

weak to medium moderate sub angular blocky

Distribution and Extent: Pathlahra series covers an area of 154.95 Sq.Km in Pakur district, Jharkhand

Type Location: ‐ 25° 03' 12'' N and 87° 35' 43'' E, Profile no 88, Sheet no 72 O/12




Soil Analytical Data of Pathlahra Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)

%

Bulk Density


at pH

EC (ds

m-1) OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

Ap 0-15 10 46.5 43.5 NIL 1.5 45.9 26 5.3 0.02 0.75 NIL

A2 15 29 10.3 45.5 44.2 NIL 1.6 46 26.9 6.9 0.05 0.26 NIL

B21 29-47 11.3 45.2 43.5 NIL 1.6 45.9 26 6.9 _ 0.1 NIL

2B22 47-65 39.3 18.5 42.2 NIL 1.5 42 25 6.9 _ 0.13 NIL

2B23 65-77+ 47 18.6 28.4 NIL 1.6 30.5 16.2 7.4 0.02 0.18 NIL

Extractable cations [ cmol(p+)kg-1] Available(mg kg-1) Micro nutrients (mg litres-1)

Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC [[cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS


7.5 5.3 0.9 0.8 17.8 81.4 4 84 0.57 26.2 3.5 37.7

9.2 5.5 0.9 0.8 18.3 89.6 3 70 0.4 13 1 6.9

9 4.6 0.8 0.7 17.9 84.3 3 70 0.37 9.5 0.4 6.3

9.4 4.2 0.9 0.7 17.2 88.3 3 52 0.33 14.4 0.7 7.7

7.5 3 0.8 0.6 12.9 92.2 3 88 0.44 8.4 0.9 7.8

81

MOHANPUR SERIES:‐

Mohanpur Series is member of fine, mixed hyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts and is associated with

Banshidharpur, Sonajori, and Baramasia Series. These are light yellowish brown to brown, very strongly

acidic to neutral. These are very deep alluvium soils of Basaltic parent material and are brought under

bunded paddy. These soils occupies gently sloping with moderately well drained having high water

holding capacity. These are bunded paddy land occasionally used for Mustard cultivation during winter

season.

These soils are poor in Organic carbon, available potassium and available phosphorus. These are

moderate in available zinc and becoming deficient at lower depth.

Typifying Pedon:


Ap 0‐21 cm Light yellowish brown ( 10 YR 6/4 D); silty clay; massive; dry hard,

firm, sticky, plastic; few fine roots; very strongly acid (pH 4.8); clear

smooth boundary.

Bw1 21‐45 cm Brown ( 10 YR 5/3 D); silty clay; fine weak sub‐angular blocky; dry

hard, firm, sticky, plastic; few fine roots; slightly acid (pH 6.8); clear

smooth boundary.

Bw2 45‐75 cm Yellowish brown ( 10 YR 5/4 D); silty clay; fine weak sub angular

blocky; dry slightly hard, firm, sticky, plastic; few fine roots; neutral

(pH 6.9); clear wavy boundary.

Bw3 75‐105 cm + Brown ( 10 YR 5/3 D); silty clay; medium moderate sub angular blocky; dry

hard, firm, sticky, plastic; few fine roots; neutral (pH 6.6).

82


The Solum depth exceeds 105 cm with colour varies from light yellowish brown to brown alternately

with dominantly 10 YR as hues while varies from 5‐6 and values 3‐4 respectively. Texturally these are

silty clay throughout Solum depth. Being paddy land although surface structure is massive but found to

be weakly developed sub angular blocky to medium moderate sub angular blocky.

Distribution and Extent: Mohanpur series covers an area of 216.37 Sq.Km in Pakur District, Jharkhand.




i) Land capability sub class :‐ II ii) Irrigability sub class :‐ 2d

Soil Analytical Data of Mohanpur Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)

%

Bulk Density


at pH

EC (ds

m-1) OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa Ap 0-21 11.9 47.1 41 NIL 1.5 44.5 23 4.8 _ 0.27 NIL

Bw1 21-45 14 43.1 42.9 NIL 1.5 46.1 26.5 6.1 _ 0.27 NIL Bw2 45-75 16 43.5 40.5 NIL 1.5 44 21.5 6.9 _ 0.31 NIL

Bw3 75-90+ 9 47.8 43.2 NIL 1.5 44 26 6.6 _ 0.18 NIL


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC [cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS

P2O5 K2O Zn++ Mn++ Cu++ Fe++ 6.7 5.1 0.6 0.5 16.9 76.3 3 28 0.73 11 1.8 24.5 8.1 5.4 0.8 0.7 17.7 84.7 4 38 0.56 2.3 1.3 7.1 9.3 5.6 0.7 0.6 18.1 86.5 3 60 0.15 0.8 0.5 2.8 11 5.9 0.3 0.9 19.1 94.7 4 94 0.49 7.6 0.8 4.3

83

SONAJORI SERIES:‐

Sonajori Series is member of fine, mixed, hyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts and associated with

Pathlahra, Mohanpur and Banshidharpur Soil Series. It consists of very deep soils with light yellowish

brown to dark brown, very strongly acidic to slightly acidic at lower depth. These are developed over

Basaltic parental material. These soils occur mostly on lower plateau with gently sloping area. These

soils have high moisture holding capacity. These are bunded paddy land.

Sonajori Series has surface horizon high in Organic matter while contents are lower down at lower

horizon. Available potash, zinc, manganese, iron are high, while available Phosphorus is deficient

throughout horizon, available potash is moderate below 20 cm. These are bunded paddy land.

Typifying Pedon:


Ap 0‐4.0 cm Light yellowish brown ( 10 YR 6/4 D); silty clay; fine weak sub angular

blocky; dry hard, firm, sticky, plastic; few fine roots; very strong acid


A2 4.0‐20 cm Brownish yellow ( 10 YR 6/6 D); silty clay; fine weak sub angular

blocky; dry hard, firm, sticky, plastic; few fine arigillans; medium acid

(pH 5.6); gradual smooth boundary.

Bw1 20‐39 cm Dark brown ( 10 YR 4/3 D); clay; medium moderate sub angular

blocky; dry very hard, firm, sticky, plastic; few fine arigillans; few Fe‐

Mn concretions; medium acid (pH 6.0); clear smooth boundary.

Bw2 39‐75 cm Dark brown ( 10 YR 4/3 D); silty clay; medium moderate sub angular

blocky; dry hard, firm, sticky, plastic; few Fe‐Mn concretions; medium

acid (pH 6.0); gradual smooth boundary.

Bw3 75‐105 cm Dark brown ( 10 YR 3/3 D); clay; medium moderate sub angular

blocky; dry very hard, firm, very sticky, plastic; slightly acid (pH 6.4).

84


The Solum depth is more than 1058 cm with colors dominantly in hues of 10 YR and values of 3‐6 and

chromas of 3‐6. surface horizon is light yellowish brown while sub surface is very strong brownish yellow

to dark brown in colors. The texture confine to 20 cm depth is silty clay while it changes to clay. Iron and

Manganese concretions are found only in between 20‐75 cm subsoil depths. First two horizons confines

to weak sub angular blocky, while all others are medium moderate in structure.

Distribution and Extent : Sonajori series covers an area of 129.59 Sq.Km in Pakur District, Jharkhand.

Type Location :‐ 24° 38' 30'' N and 87° 48' 13'' E, Profile no 1, Sheet no 72 P/14




Soil Analytical Data of Sonajori Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)

%

Bulk Density


at pH

EC (ds

m-1) OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa Ap 0-4 15.5 43 41.5 NIL 1.5 30.5 18.2 5 0.06 0.97 NIL A2 4 20 16.4 41.2 42.4 NIL 1.5 34.1 20.5 5.6 _ 0.27 NIL

Bw1 20-39 32.5 22.5 45 NIL 1.5 47 25.9 6 _ 0.26 NIL Bw2 39-75 17.9 40.9 41.2 NIL 1.6 31 18.1 6 _ 0.1 NIL

Bw3 75-90+ 17.3 41.4 41.3 NIL 1.6 40.1 24.5 6.1 _ 0.44 NIL


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+


BS

P2O5 K2O Zn++ Mn++ Cu++ Fe++ 8.8 5.3 0.7 0.6 17.3 89 4 184 1.15 28.9 3.6 33.8 8.7 5.3 0.8 0.6 17.4 87.9 3 90 0.52 25 2.1 19.1 9.2 5.6 0.9 0.7 18.6 88.1 3 90 0.49 26.6 1.3 15.4 8 5.2 0.8 0.7 16.9 86.9 3 78 0.44 20.5 0.9 11.9

8.2 5.1 0.8 0.7 17.1 86.5 3 82 0.48 20.6 1.2 15.3

85

MITIAL SERIES:‐

Mitial Series is a member of fine, mixed, hyperthermic, Typic Haplustalfs and is associated with

Chandpur Series. It consists of older flood plain on gently sloping to leveled land. Mostly Mango orchids

and Gava are prominently grown. These are bunded as well as unbunded soils occasionally cultivated for

orchid crop like Mango and Gava. They are moderately well drained with moderate to high water

holding capacity.

These are deficient in Organic Carbon and Phosphorus while sufficient in Potassium and Zinc. They are

mildly alkaline to moderately alkaline in reaction, slight effervescence are found throughout profile.

Typifying Pedon:


Ap 0‐14 cm Very pale brown ( 10 YR 7/3); silty clay loam; massive; dry slightly

hard, friable, sticky, plastic; many fine roots; mildly alkaline (pH 7.7);

slight effervescence; clear smooth boundary.

Bt1 14‐30 cm Pale brown ( 10 YR 6/3); silt loam; fine weak sub angular blocky; dry

hard, firm, sticky, plastic; thin patchy argillians; many fine roots;

moderately alkaline (pH 7.9); slight effervescences; diffuse boundary.

Bt2 30‐54 cm Brown ( 10 YR 5/3); clay loam; fine weak sub angular blocky; dry very

hard, very firm, very sticky, plastic; common medium roots; many

thin patchy argillians; moderately alkaline(pH 7.9); slight

effervescences; diffuse boundary.

Bt3 54‐85 cm + Brown ( 10 YR 5/3); silty clay; medium moderate sub angular blocky; dry hard; firm; sticky; plastic; common medium roots; mildly alkaline (pH 7.5); slight effervescence.

86


Solum depth is more than 85 cm. colour predominantly covering 10 YR as hues while value changes from

5‐7 and chroma remains same throughout. Texturally silty clay loam on surface while silt loam and clay

loam on successive sub soil layers followed by silty clay at lower depth. Paddy being grown on this soil

surface. Structure is found massive while sub soil layers becomes fine weak sub angular blocky to

medium moderate sub angular blocky.

If this entire area is brought under orchid under economical zone replacing paddy lands beneficiaries will

be benefited economically.

Distribution and Extent: Mitial series covers an area of 20.30 Sq.Km in Pakur District, Jharkhand.

Type Location :‐ 25° 00' 30'' N and 87° 50' 06'' E, Profile no 82, Sheet no O/16



i) Land capability sub class : ‐ II ii) Irrigability sub class : ‐ 2d iii) Productivity potential

Soil Analytical Data of Mitial Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)

%

Bulk Density


at pH

EC (ds

m-1) OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

Ap 0-14 27.9 42.6 29.5 NIL 1.6 30.5 17.1 7.7 0.04 0.59 NIL

Bt1 14-30 15.5 52.3 32.2 NIL 1.6 35.5 24 7.9 0.05 0.41 NIL

Bt2 30-54 33.6 23 43.4 NIL 1.5 44 27.5 7.9 0.08 0.18 NIL

Bt3 54-85+ 12 45.7 42.3 NIL 1.5 44.5 26.9 7.5 0.21 0.27 NIL


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC [cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS


5.4 4.3 0.4 0.5 13.8 76.8 3 140 0.78 12.2 2.7 17.3

7.6 4.1 0.3 0.5 13.1 95.4 3 76 0.83 10.2 3.6 10.5

10.4 6.2 0.4 0.6 19.7 89.3 3 126 0.15 3.1 2 4

10 5.1 0.3 0.6 17.2 93 3 84 0.38 7.1 2.5 5.1

87

CHANDPUR SERIES:‐

Chandpur Series is a member of fine, mixed, hyperthermic, Aquic Haplustepts and is in association with

Surni mod and Mitial Series. It comprises very deep soil having pale brown, moderately alkaline, silty

clay. Plough horizon is brown, moderately alkaline, silty loam. Bw2, Bw3 and Bw4 horizons have brown

to grayish brown, silty clay to clay, underlain by Basalt parent material. These soils are found to occur on

gently sloping to moderately sloping flood plain. These are very rarely covered under forest vegetation,

otherwise they are cultivated for crops like paddy, bangal gram, maize, sarso. The sub soil horizon is

submerged under water for a considerable period with out affecting the crop growth.

They have good water holding capacity, calcareous, moderately alkaline to mildly alkaline in reaction.

Organic matter and available phosphorus is low while available potash is sufficient through horizon.

Typifying Pedon:


Ap 0‐20 cm Pale brown ( 10 YR 6/3); silty clay; fine moderate sub angular blocky;

dry hard, firm, sticky, plastic; many fine roots; moderately alkaline (pH


Bw1 20‐35 cm Brown ( 10 YR 5/3); silt loam; fine weak sub angular blocky; dry

slightly hard, firm, sticky, plastic; few fine roots; strong effervescence;

moderately alkaline (pH 8.1); diffused boundary

Bw2 35‐51 cm Brown ( 10 YR 5/3); slity clay; fine weak sub angular blocky; dry

hard, firm, sticky, plastic; violent effervescence; mildly alkaline (pH


Bw3 51‐76 cm Grayish brown ( 10 YR 5/2); slity clay; medium moderate sub angular

blocky; dry hard, firm, sticky, plastic; mildly alkaline (pH 7.4); diffuse

boundary

Bw4 76‐97 cm Grayish brown ( 10 YR 5/2); clay; medium moderate sub angular

blocky; dry very hard, firm, very sticky, plastic; slight effervescence;

neutral (pH 6.7).

C 97+ cm Base rock Lithic contact.

88


Solum depth varies from 75‐97 cm. Texture of surface horizon ranges from silty clay to silt loam and in

sub surface horizon from silt loam to silty clay. Soil colour varies from pale brown to brown in surface.

Where hues remains the same while values changes from 5‐6, keeping chroma 3 as constant. Surface

structure very strong fine moderate sub angular blocky and sub surface structure is moderate medium

sub angular blocky.

Distribution and Extent: Chandpur series covers an area of 54.20 Sq.Km in Pakur District, Jharkhand.

Type Location: ‐ 24° 38' 25'' N and 87° 54' 30'' E, Profile no 5, Sheet no P/14




Soil Analytical Data of Chandpur Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)%

Bulk Density


EC (ds m-1)

OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

Ap 0-20 13 45.1 41 NIL 1.5 44 24.9 8 0.17 0.1 NIL

Bw1 20-35 11 46.2 42.8 NIL 1.5 40.5 21.5 8.1 0.15 0.31 1.4

Bw2 35-51 13.6 44.4 42 NIL 1.5 38 19.2 7.7 0.2 0.18 1.2

Bw3 51-76 13.7 45.9 40.4 NIL 1.5 40 20.5 7.4 0.2 0.32 1.4

Bw4 76-97+ 29.1 25.7 45.2 NIL 1.5 43.2 23.2 6.7 0.21 1.01 0.8


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+

CEC [cmol(p+)kg-1]

BS


9.5 5.5 0.4 0.7 17.7 90.9 3 164 0.87 12.7 2.9 7.7

10.8 6 0.4 0.8 19.2 94.7 4 112 0.53 11.8 1.9 8.4

10.5 5.9 0.4 0.8 19 92.6 4 100 0.45 7.8 2.4 6

10.3 5.7 0.4 0.8 18.3 93.9 3 130 1 7.2 2.5 6

12 6.1 0.5 1.2 20.7 95.6 10 230 1.09 12.1 6.2 22.5

89

SURNI MOD SERIES:‐

Surni mod Series is a member of fine, mixed, hyperthermic, Aquic Haplustepts and is associated with

Chandpur Series. Texturally these soils are clay throughout Solum depth. The colour varies from brown

to very dark grayish brown. It consists of deep to moderately deep soils developed over Basalt as parent

material. These soils found on gently to moderately sloping recent flood plain. These soils are mostly

under bunded paddy however some patches are under unbunded where wheat, Bengal grams are under

irrigation practice.

These soils are strong acidic becoming neutral. They are moderate to high in water holding capacity.

Only on surface high in Organic Carbon while lowers down below. Available Potassium, Zinc are

moderate, while available Phosphorus is low.

Typifying Pedon:


Ap 0‐12 cm Brown ( 10 YR 5/3); clay; medium moderate sub angular blocky; dry

very hard, very firm, very sticky, plastic; many fine roots; strong acid


Bw1 12‐38 cm Dark brown ( 10 YR 4/3); clay; medium moderate sub angular blocky;

dry very hard, very firm, very sticky, plastic; few fine roots; mildly

alkaline (pH 7.4); diffuse boundary .

Bw2 38‐56 cm Dark grayish brown ( 10 YR 4/2); clay; medium moderate sub‐angular

blocky; dry very hard, very firm, very sticky, very plastic; few fine

roots; neutral (pH 6.9); clear smooth boundary.

Bw3 56‐76 cm Very dark grayish brown ( 10 YR 3/2); clay; medium moderate sub‐

angular blocky; dry very hard, very firm, very sticky, plastic; few fine

roots; neutral (pH 7.1).

C 76+ Parent material.

90


Solum depth varies from 76‐80 cm with surface colour as brown while becoming dark brown and very

dark grayish brown, dominant hues is 10YR while values changes from 3‐5 and chroma varies from 2‐3

respectively. Up to 56‐76 cm soil is clayey throughout and medium moderate sub angular blocky

structure. These are used for paddy in rainy season and wheat, Bengal gram and other ruby crops under

irrigation in winter.

Distribution and Extent : Surni mod series covers an area of 27.11 Sq.Km in Pakur District, Jharkhand

Type Location :‐ 25° 10' 20'' N and 87° 12' 35'' E, Profile no 89, Sheet no 72 O/8



i) Land capability sub class : ‐ II ii) Irrigability sub class : ‐ 2d iii) Productivity potential

Soil Analytical Data of Surni Mod Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)

%

Bulk Density


at pH

EC (ds

m-1) OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

Ap 0-12 27.6 26.3 46.1 NIL 1.5 44.1 23.2 5.5 0.06 0.72 NIL

Bw1 12 38 20.8 35.2 44 NIL 1.5 44.5 26.9 7.4 0.06 0.31 NIL

Bw2 38-56 25.1 29.9 45 NIL 1.5 43.9 25.5 6.9 0.02 0.27 NIL

Bw3 56-76+ 21.5 28.5 50 NIL 1.5 45 26 7.1 _ 0.18 NIL


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+


BS


11.9 6.3 0.6 1 20.1 95.2 3 106 1.56 20.6 3.9 20.9

10.8 6.1 0.6 0.8 19.7 92.8 3 96 1.08 11.2 1.5 8.7

10.7 5.8 0.5 0.8 18.9 94.7 5 82 0.81 6.4 1.5 7.3

11.9 6.6 0.6 1.2 21.7 93.5 3 64 0.53 6 1.3 6.9

91

TELEPARA SERIES:‐

Telepara Series is a member of fine, mixed, hyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts and is associated with

Sahargaon Series. These are moderately deep to deep soils with Ac horizon and strongly acidic underlain

by Laterite (Basalt weathered material). These soils are found on gently sloping to moderately sloping

occupying upper plateau. These are moderately eroded well drained with moderate permeability. These

are unbunded mostly under forest cover and lying waste but occasionally cultivated for paddy.

These are having poor moisture holding capacity, strong acidic to medium acidic. These are moderate in

Organic Carbon but higher in available Potassium and Zinc while very deficient in available Phosphorus.

These soils require sustainable soil and water conservation measures like afforestation, contour

trenching. Improved grasses and vegetative forest cover will prevent cattle grazing to check erosion.

Cultivation of this land being in forest should not be encourage as they accelerates the erosion. They are

mostly laying non cultivable waste and fallow land having good potential for agro‐forestry.

Typifying Pedon:


Ap 0‐12 cm Light reddish brown ( 5 YR 6/4); clay loam; massive; dry slightly hard,

firm, slightly sticky, slightly plastic; many fine roots; strong acid (pH


Bw1 12‐32 cm Reddish brown ( 5 YR 5/4); gravelly clay; massive; dry hard, firm,

slightly sticky, slightly plastic; many fine roots; medium acid (pH 5.7);

abrupt boundary.

C 32‐74 cm + Laterite (Basalt), Weathered material.

92


Solum depth is 30‐36 cm with light yellowish brown to reddish brown in colour 5YR hues throughout

with 5‐6 values and 4 throughout as cromas. Surface texture is clay loam and becoming gravelly clay

loam to clay in sub soils. It is mostly massive hard and firm slum underlain by lateritic material.

Distribution and Extent : Telepara series covers an area of 118.53 Sq.Km in Pakur District, Jharkhand.

Type Location: ‐ 24° 36' 33'' N and 87° 42' 38'' E, Profile no 53, Sheet no 72P/10



i) Land capability sub class :‐ II ii) Irrigability sub class :‐ 2sd

Soil Analytical Data of Telepara Series

Horizon Depth

cm Sand

% Silt %

Clay %

Gravel (>2mm)

%

Bulk Density


at pH

EC (ds

m-1) OC %

CaCO3 (g kg-1)

33kPa 1500kPa

Ap 0-12 50 18.5 31.5 NIL 1.6 31.5 17 5.4 0.07 0.62 NIL

Bw1 12 32 35.7 22 42.3 16 1.5 32.9 20 5.7 _ 0.35 NIL


Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+


BS


4.8 3.4 0.5 0.6 14.3 65 3 236 1.89 27.7 7.6 25.9

8.2 5.1 0.8 0.7 17 86.5 4 228 0.54 22 3.1 14.9

93

Banshidharpur series (0604040512010502)

Banshidharpur series is a member of fine, montmorilonitic, hyperthermic family of Vertic Haplustepts. Banshidharpur series comprises brown to yellowish brown and light olive brown, very deep, moderately well drained, calcareous silty clays. They are developed over old alluvium on very gently sloping (1-3%) alluvial plains.

Typifying Pedon Banshidharpur clay

Horizon Depth (cm) Morphological description Ap 0-18 Dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4 M); clay; strong, medium sub

angular blocky; firm, sticky and plastic; many, very fine pores; many, fine to medium calcium concretions; about 1 cm wide vertical cracks; common, fine to medium roots; slight to strong effervescence on calcium concretions; clear, smooth boundary;

B21 18-40 Light olive brown (2.5Y 5/3 M); clay; strong, medium sub angular blocky; very firm, very sticky and very plastic; many, very fine pores; common, fine to medium calcium concretions; shiny pressure faces; about 1 cm wide vertical cracks; common, fine to medium roots; slight to strong effervescence; on calcium concretions; diffuse, smooth boundary;

B22 40-65 Light olive brown (2.5 Y 5/3 M); clay; strong, coarse angular

blocky; extremely firm, very sticky and very plastic; many, very fine pores; few, fine calcium concretions; shiny pressure faces; few fine roots; slight to strong effervescence; diffuse, smooth boundary;

B23 65-105+ Light olive brown (2.5Y 5/3 M) clay; strong, coarse angular blocky; extremely firm, very sticky and very plastic; many, very fine pores; few, fine calcium concretions; shiny pressure faces and distinct slickenside; slight to strong effervescence.

94

Range in characteristics: The soil thickness is more than 100 cm. The Ap horizon is 12-18 cm thick with colors in hues of 10YR and 2.5Y with values of 4-5 and chromes’ of 3-4, respectively. The texture of surface horizon is mainly silty clay to clay. The thickness of subsurface horizons is more than 90 cm with colors in same hues as of the surface horizon but values of 3-5 and chromes’ of 2-4. The soil texture is predominantly clay. The structure grades from strong medium sub angular blocky to strong coarse angular blocky. Shiny pressure faces and weakly developed slicken slides appear below 12-18 cm from the surface. About 1 cm wide vertical cracks occur on surface and continue up to about 40 cm below. Calcium concretions are found spread over the surface and in the profile but soil give effervescence below 40 cm depth from the surface. Algae micro-relief is found in uncultivated soils whereas sink holes are common on cultivated soils.

Distribution and Extent : Banshidharpur series covers an area of 178.92 Sq.Km in Pakur District,

Jharkhand.

Use and vegetation: These soils are mostly used for rainfed rice and pulses. At places they are also found under wasteland and scrub (mainly acacia sps). The natural vegetation consists of Acacia arabica, Azadirachta indica, Zizyphus jujuba, Lantana camera and Calotropis.

Location: Village: Asabani Tehsil: Baharagora

District: East Singhbhum Profile No. 909

Interpretative Groupings:

Land Capability Subclass - IIes

Soil Irrigability Class - B

Land Irrigability Subclass - 2sd

Hydrologic Soil Grouping - D

Productivity Potential - High

95

Analytical Data

Particle size distribution

(%)

Soil reaction

(pH)

EC

(ds/m-

1)

Series

symbol

Soil series

Profile No.

Depth

Sand Silt

Clay

Texture

Bulk densi

ty

1:2 soil water suspension

0-18 15 30 55 c 1.60 7.7 0.23

18-40 15 30 55 c 1.65 8.33 0.1

40-65 25 20 55 c 1.60 8.4 0.13

8

Banshidharpur

909

65-105 10 35 55 c 1.58 8.53 0.11

Exchangeable cat ions me/100 gm soil

Organic

Carbon %

CaCO3

% Ca Mg Na K

CEC (me/100 gm

soil) BS

Avail. P2O5

(Kg/ha)

Avail.

K2O

(Kg/ha)

1.1 - 20.4 8.6 0.6 0.6 43 70 4 620

0.4 - 24.4 10.8 0.5 0.2 45 80 5 245

0.2 3 21.2 11.2 0.4 0.3 41 81 3 340

0.2 - 11 22 0.4 0.3 41 82 2 280

96

REFERENCES CONSULTED

AIS & LUS (1971) Soil Survey Manual IARI, New Delhi India

FAO (1979) Soil Survey Investigation for Irrigation. FAO Soil Bulletin N.42 FAO Rome

FAO (1979) Land Evaluation Criteria For Irrigation, World Soil Resources Report No- 50, FAO Rome.

Jackson, M.L. 1958, Soil Chemical Analysis, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, U.S.A.

Lal, S, S.B.Deshpnde, and J. Sehagal (1994) Soil Series of India. Publication No 40, National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur, 684 PP

Murthy, R.S. , L.R.Hirekerur, S.B. Deshpande, and B.V. Venkat Rao (eds) 1982, Benchmark Soils of India, National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land use Planning, Nagpur 374 pp

Soil Survey Division Staff (1951) Soil Survey Manual Agril. Handbook 18, USDA, Washington, D.C. U.S.A.

U.S.D.A. handbook for Soil profiling and Munsell colour chart for idea of soil colour.

Soil Survey Staff (1975) Soil Taxonomy Agril Handbook 43, USDA, Washington, D.C. U.S.A. 754 pp

Soil Survey Manual – Publication No 146 – Technical Bulletin.

Soil Survey Staff (1994) Keys to soil Taxonomy, 6th edn Soil Conservation Services USDA, Washington, D.C. U.S.A.

97

List of Tables in PakurSoil Report

Table No 2.1 Rainfall data for Pakur district 10

Table No 3.1 Production of Crops in Pakur district 14

Table No 3.2 Fruit Production in Pakur district 16

Table No 3.3 Pakur district at a glance 17

Table No 3.4 Block wise Details of Pakur 17

Table No 4.1 Details of satellite image data used for Interpretation 21

Table No 4.2 Standard legend table 22

Table No 4.3 Standard table of mapping units and series association with 16 digit code 26

Table No 4.4 Mapping Units and their soil series association 29

Table No 5.1 Soil-Land form relationship 33

Table No 7.1 Details of Land Capability class II in Pakur district 41

Table No 7.2 Details of Land Capability class IV in Pakur district 42

Table No 7.3 Details of Land Capability class VI in Pakur district 43

Table No 7.4 Details of Land Capability class VII in Pakur district 43

Table No 7.5 Details of Land Capability class VIII in Pakur district 44

Table No 7.6 Details of Land Irrigability and hydrological grouping of soils 45

Table No 7.7 Details of Land Irrigability classes in Pakur district 46

Table No 7.8 Efficient cropping system for different rain dependent regions 49

Table No 7.9 Suitable pasture species details in Pakur district 51

Table No 7.10 Hydrological grouping table 52

Table No 7.11 Land hydrological grouping in Pakur district 52

98

List of Figures in Pakur Soil Report

Fig No 2.1 Land use Pattern of Pakur 13

Fig No 3.1 Production of crops in Pakur district 14

Fig No 3.2 Vegetable Production in Pakur district 15

Fig No 3.3 Population data for Jharkhand State 18

Fig No 4.1 Flow diagram for methodology of soil mapping project 20

Fig No 4.2 Toposheet data reference 21

List of Plates in Pakur Soil Report

Plate No - 1 Soils of Pakur district on Rajmahal traps 30

Plate No - 2 Soils of Pakur district on Gneisses and Gondwanas rock types. 31

Plate No - 3 Soil distribution in Pakur district 34



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Annexure-1- Soil Profile Data Sheet

100

REPORT ON SOIL RESOURCE MAP OF PAKUR DISTRICT, …

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