report on soil resource map of pakur district, …
TRANSCRIPT
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
1
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
Land Characteristics
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)
Soil Characteristics
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
Land Characteristics
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)
Soil Characteristics
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
Land Characteristics
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)
Soil Characteristics
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
Land Characteristics
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
Soil Characteristics
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 group 2.
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 group 3.
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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
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
(M gm-3) Moisture (m3 m3x100)
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
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++
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
60
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.
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
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
(M gm-3) Moisture (m3 m3x100)
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
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++
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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
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
(M gm-3) Moisture (m3 m3x100)
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
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++
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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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).
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Type Location: ‐ 24° 06' 01'' N and 86° 51' 53'' E, Profile no 130, Sheet no 72 L/16
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
i) Land capability sub class : ‐ II ii) Irrigability sub class : ‐ 2d
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
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++
3.4 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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Type Location: ‐ 24° 09' 53'' N and 86° 49' 48'' E, Profile no 132, Sheet no 72 L/16
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
i) Land capability sub class : ‐ II ii) Irrigability sub class : ‐ 2d
Soil Analytical Data of Dhababad 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 0-10 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
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++
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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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
5.0); clear smooth boundary.
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
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
(M gm-3) Moisture (m3 m3x100) at pH
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
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++
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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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.
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
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
(M gm-3) Moisture (m3 m3x100) at pH
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
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++
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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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.
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
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
(M gm-3) Moisture (m3 m3x100) at pH
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
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++
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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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).
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Type Location: ‐ 24° 41' 09'' N and 87° 44' 08'' E, Profile no 11, Sheet no 72 P/10
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
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
(M gm-3) Moisture (m3 m3x100)
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
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++
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
77
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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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.
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Type Location: ‐ 24° 34' 24'' N and 87° 42' 43'' E, Profile no 52, Sheet no 72 P/10
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
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
(M gm-3) Moisture (m3 m3x100)
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
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++
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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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
6.9); clear smooth boundary.
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
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
i) Land capability sub class : ‐ II ii) Irrigability sub class : ‐ 2d
Soil Analytical Data of Pathlahra 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 0-15 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
P2O5 K2O Zn++ Mn++ Cu++ Fe++
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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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
Range in Characteristics:‐
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.
Type Location: ‐ 24° 57' 09'' N and 87° 49' 39'' E, Profile no 45, Sheet no 72 P/13
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
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
(M gm-3) Moisture (m3 m3x100)
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
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++ 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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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
(pH 5.0); clear smooth boundary.
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
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
i) Land capability sub class : ‐ II ii) Irrigability sub class : ‐ 2d
Soil Analytical Data of Sonajori 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 0-4 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
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++ 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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
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
(M gm-3) Moisture (m3 m3x100)
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
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++
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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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
8.0); clear smooth boundary.
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
7.7); clear smooth boundary.
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
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
i) Land capability sub class : ‐ II ii) Irrigability sub class : ‐ 2d
Soil Analytical Data of Chandpur 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 0-20 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
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++
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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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
(pH 5.5); clear smooth boundary.
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
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
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
(M gm-3) Moisture (m3 m3x100)
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
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++
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:
Genetic Depth Morphological Description Horizon (cm)
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
5.4); clear smooth boundary.
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
Range in Characteristics:‐
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
Series Proposed/Status
Interpretation Grouping:‐
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
(M gm-3) Moisture (m3 m3x100)
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
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++
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
Plate No - 4 Soil distribution in Pakur district 35
Plate No - 5 Soil distribution in Pakur district 36
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Annexure-1- Soil Profile Data Sheet
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