Soils Bulletin 12
The Soils of Hassan District (Karnataka) for Land Use Planning
Regional Centre BAN GALORE
National Bureau of Soil Survey • Land Use Planning flNOMN COUCll Of~ IDIAICH) , rMOPUR-4*»cno The Soils of Hassan District (Karnataka) for Land Use Planning
N !) :~ S & I U P ~!")' .'\ 11 , ..... s"" • - ~ I ,I.... "'"'Y R.. \,. :_*' .) 11 • w I ~ ~ '" _ l" . .... I li"':il:p;~\r~ 5:'1\': i'_:4 CONTRIBUTORS
Principal investigator C.S. Harindranath field survey, mapping K.R. Venu60pal l(\t~n)reta tio !\ and laboratory R. Swamynatha analysis K. Sundara
Cartography Champa Ray Chowdhury Prabhakara T. Nagaraj8 Rao K.B. Maske R.C. Sutkar
Cover design L.S. Bahilani
Soil survey interpretation and J.L. Sehgal Technical edi tlng L.R. Hirekerur V.A.K. SArmR
january 1987 The Soils of Hassan District (Karnataka) for Land Use Planning
National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land Use Planning (INDIAN COUNCIL Of AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ) NAGPU R - 440 010 1987
------Printed at the Printing Section. ------.-----C8rtogrilphy DivIsIon N. e. S. S. & L. U. P .• tA.R." Campus, New Dolhi-110012 FOREWORD
Soils differ gr3atlf in t;l~ir edaphic, morphological, physico-chemical and mineralogical properties because of assorted combination of soil form ing factors and processes whIch act on the parent rock to form them.
Soil Scientists study soils to identify units that can be grouped according to their morphology and properties into classification units that can be tielineated on maps. Different kind of soils can be interpreted
for (l variety of technical uses, including technology transfer.
Since it is practically difficult to make detailed investigations and conduct fertility experiments on several soils, It becomes imperative co make predictions, based on soil survey and correlation data. The present bulletin on the soils of ~-lassDn district (Karnataka) is an endeavour of the Staff of National Aureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning in this direction wherein efforts have been made to map soil resources of the di!'>trict, highHght the prob\E::ms and potentials for developing better land use plans. The bulletin covers various aspecls of the soils of the districts, including a separate chapter on Soil Survey Interpretation and suitability of soils for major crops grown in the area. The results obtained may prove Ilseful in transferring soil-basf'd agro-technoJogy to other areas having similar soil-site characteristics.
It is hoped that this bulletin will be exploited by agronomists, plllnners, exten5ion workers of different departments for making rational land use rccom mendations. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Soil Survey of I-Jassan district is a collective effort of many persons in the 13ureau. However, the following deserve a special mention for their help and guidance In realising the project.
• Sri Naga Rhushana, S. R. and Shri Barde, N.K.
the ~egional Heads at the time of the proJect" and field review.
• Sri Sitaram Singh for calculation of area.
• Smt. Pillai, T.L. and Sri. ' • Staff members of the Regional Centre, Bangalore and Headquarters, Nsgpur 10 cartography and laboratory in various stage of the proJect. • Sri Abraham, P. K. for map reduction and printing section headed by Sri S. Pandey for printing. CONTENTS Foreword Acknowledgement 1. Introduction 1 2. Geographical Setting 2 3. Soil Survey Techniques 11 4. The Soils 14 5. Soil Survey Interpretations for 19 Land Use Planning 5.1 Land capability classificatiol. 5.2 Irrigability c lassification 5.3 Productive soils 5.4 Problem soils 5.5 Suggested land use 5.6 Soil suitability for Ragi 5.7 Soil suitability for eucalyptus 6. Conclusion 35 INTRODUCTION Soil Is the basic resource for meeting the needs 01' all life. Since no two soils are similar in their Inherent characteristics and behaviour, a proper understanding of their properties IS Imperative for developing optimum land use pian. Soil surveys and maps provide information of the soil resource of an area. Interpretation of Soil data lead to predictiOns. In view of this, a semi-detailed reconnaissance soil survey of the District Hassan (Karnataka) was undertaken with the following objectives : o to prepare a soil resource map of the district, delineating soil series and/or soil series associations with phases within each soil series aSSOCiation, o to characterise the soIls and highlight their problems and potentials, o to correlate and classi fy the soils according to Soil Taxonomy, and o to prepare interpretative maps based on soil-site characteristics and their limitations for developing optimum land use plans. GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING The total geogrtiphicClI area of the district is 6.78 lakh hectares. It is, situated between 12°31' and 13°33' North latitude and 75°33' and 76038' East longItude and lies in the south western part of the state of Karnataka. It is bounded on the north by Chikmagalur The major rock formations in the area are granites, gneisses, schists and quartzites (Fig.2). The Ilassan district is a part of the ~ (1) the high hilly region popularly called 'Malnad' and (2) the plain region, popularly known as 'Maidan~ The district m<1Y be diVIded into the following physiographic lon~s : (map-I) (1) HIlly region covered with forest (southern 'malnad') (2) Hillocks on thp. plain region (3) Undulating to rolling lands (semi-'malnad' and high lands 'maidan') (4) Gently sloping pediments (southern 'maidan') (~) Valleys (river valleys and tank command areas) - -TFig.t ~\ r 'd, ~I }~'''';''..... i-" MYSORE .J DISTRICT KmJO !) 0 10 20Km ....,_ - j _j Fig.1. LOCATION OF HASSAN DISTRICT 76 O' Fl,.2 ~ Gronite ~ Dharwars 1··-1 Peninsular piss I o ( ,AlKALGlO " ...... I '" .... • f •• KODAGU t,, ~,... ~. ,"" \ DISTRICT I. . ~ J,v ~ ", MYSORE I 'iL DISTRICT KmIO !I 0 10 20Km 76· O' Fig.2 . GEOLOGY OF HASSAN DISTRICT The Sakaleshpur tal uk of the district rests on the brow of the Western Ghats and comprises some of the most beautiful scenery in Karnataka State. The elevation ranges from 1000 to 1715 metres above tl1e mean sea level. Apart from these hill peaks, there are low ranges 01 granite hills found in all the other taluks. The area is drained by three important rivers viz. the Cauvery, Hemavathi "and Yagachi. Most of the district lies within the I :emavati basin. In the hilly region ('malnad'), there are number of small check dams and pickups constructed across the rivers during the 19th Century which till to date are being used for irrigation. In the unduluting plain ('maidan') tank irrigation is common. Of the total net sown area, about 16 per cent is irrigated by different sources; the details are: Total net sown area 3.5 lakh ha. Total area irrigated 0.56 lakh ha. (16%) Area irrigated by canals 10749 ha. Area irrigated by tanks 34083 ha. Area irrigated by wells 1717 ha. Area Irrigated by other sources 9797 ha. The district has equitable climate. The average annual rainfall is 1041 mm. The western part of the district receives heavy rainfall which decreases signi ficantly in the eastern part. A. major portion of the rain is received during the southwest monsoon period (I\1ay to Augus t). Rains are also received during October to November. The fainfall exceeds potential evapotranspiration for about 120 days in a year (Table 1). The soi.! moisture control section is likely to remain moist for about 140 days in a year (ustic moisture regime) which permits growing of one kharif crop under rainfed conditions. The mean annual air temperature is 23.3°C. April is generally the hottest month and December the coldest. The difference between the mean summer and mean winter temperature is less than Soc. The soil temperature regime is iso-hyperthermic (Fig.3). Table 1. CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA OF HASSAN T)IST~ICTt KARNATAKA Station Hassan: 13000'N 760 09'E Height 960 m above MSL /8ased on observations from 1931-}960) Average jan Feb Mar Apr May jun jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Average Mean Monthly 21.4 23.2 25.6 26.7 25.9 23.1 21.9 22.2 22.6 23.1 22.0 20.9 23.3 Temperature (oC) Potential 111 119 157 149 146 III 110 104 106 105 98 100 1406 Evapotrans- piration (mm) Normal Monthly 5.0 5.4 9.1 52.7 111.3 124.9 245.5 140.7 101.6 153.9 73.7 16.9 1040.7 Rainfall (mm) Average 0.4 0.4 0.7 3.6 7.1 13.9 13.8 10.6 7.7 8.9 4.6 1.1 67.8 Number of Rainy Days (Source) PET Report of National Commission of Agriculture Part IV (J976) Temp. & Gazetteer of India, Hassan district 1971 Rainfall The flora of the area is rich and varies from scrub forest (Acacia and Lanterna spp:) in the eastern sector to evergreen forests (Terminalia spp.) in the western sector. The economy of the district is primarily dependent on agriculture which is the chief occupation of the people. f)f the total geographical area, ~bout 50 pcr cent IS under cultivation. F:fforts are being made to increase the irrigation potential of the area and bring more area under cultivation (Table 2) (Fig.4). The major crops grown in the; area are : Finger millet (~agi), sorghum, rice (cerea!), horsegram, pigeonpea, dolichos ('Avare') green gram, black gram and chiltkpea (pulsei), groundn,ut and coconut (oil seed). Coffee and cordamon plantations are grown in the 'malnad' reglOn (Table 3) (Fig.5). mm HASSAN 13°00' N, 7609' E 20 10 () J F M A M J A s o N o a Precipitation IT:ZJ. Dry period E!3 Temperature .. Wet period E3 Poten~ial EYopotranspiration Fla.3. PRECIPITATION, TEMP£RATURE AND WATER BALANCE Table 2. LAND USE OF HASSAN DISTRICT, KARNATAKA (1978-79) (Area in lIa.) Total Geogral1hlcal· Area Forett. Land not Other un- Fallow f\(et area Net GNla District as per available cultlvated land cultivated lnipted Talllks Gaz. (1971) Revenue for land e1l- Sq. Km. Record cultivation cluslve o( (l978-79) (allow land Araslkere 1242 124059 15()50 13542 16725 5111 73625 Ist1 (12.1) (10.9) (13.5) (4.1) (59.3) (1-') Channarayapatna 1048 104635 697 14879 20119 5125 63815 4505 (0.7) (14.2) (19.2) (4.9) (61.0) (.. ,) Hassan 935 92464 1913 27085 12548 6415 44502 8001 ~.1) (29.3) (13.6) (6.9) (48.1) (11.8) Ho1enera.lpur 609 60088 1213 12799 9109 9228 2773!1 438S (2.0) (21.3) (15.1) (15.3) (46..2) (8..1) Arkalgud 690 66633 2155 8012 12340 3368 42758 7239 (3.1) (11.7) (18.0) (4.9) (62.3) (1M) Alur 435 42476 484 7917 11675 5494 16906 (1.11 118.6) (27.5/ (12.9/ (36.81 (15.'m~ Belur 813 80290 6022 9008 16622 8949 39689 9928 (7.5) (11.2) (20.7) (11.1) (49.4) (lU) Salcaleshpur 1053 105414 26169 6011 14241 38889 10'10) (24.8) (5.7) (19.2~8 ) (13.5) (36.9) (10.1) TOTAL 6826 678059 53703 9~253 119236 57944 347923 53422 (7.9) (14.6) 117.6) (8.5) (51.3) (7.9/ FIgures In paranthesis Indicate percent to total geographical area according to revenue record. Source : Dureau of Econom 1c. ondStatfstlcs. Govt. o( Karnataka. 0 III ("') "' ~ III III ("') N r- 0 0 I ... 0 00 ::s 00 III "' '_ ... to 0 r- III III 0 0 III ..l ::s 0 "' Net cultivated area ~ Other uncultivated 'area exclud ing fa liow land &W Forests a Land not avoi loble for cultivation f22] Follow land Fig.4. LAND USE(1978-79) Fig .S ~Rice ~!!~mm@l~ Finger Millet(Ragi) § Coconut _ Coffee lliIlll Cotton Pulses ~ Cardamom L;.:::.;·:-J 0 the r s Fig.5.MAJOR CROPS Chapt/M 3 SOIL SURVEY TECHNIQUES Semi-detailed and reconnaissance soil survey and mapping of the Hassan district were carried out during 1975 to 1981 using I inch to 1 mile (1 :63,360) scale Survey of India toposheets as base, and the standard soil survey procedure as stipulated in the Soil Survey Manual (JARI 1970). The field investigations included study of several sample strips cutting across major physiographic units .and developing correlat ion between physiography and soils (figs. 6 and 7). At random field checking was -undertaken in the rest of the area to supplement the correlation established. The soil mapping units are the soli series, and association of soil series. A Soil map showing soil series (association) has been prepared. In all 33 soil series were identified and mapped as 30 soil mapping units. The 30 soil mapping units have inclusions of other soils to the tune of 15 to 20%. Based on the soil map, several interpretative maps like land capability, irrigability, problems and potential, land use present and sugested, and crop suitability have been prepared. Fig. 6 Min. HILLOCKS UNOIJLATING TO GENTLY SLOPING VALLEY 950 10-25% ROLLING PEDIMENT PEDIMET + 0 5-10% 3-5 /0 1-3·/. 940 ~ 930 ! 920 910 900 3'5 KI'II' HORIZONTAL EXAGGERATION (X31 SOIL SERIES: TEJIGERE SUNNAKALLU BAGOLU DOODAKADANUR HEMAVATHI Cm. 0 IIYR4" IOYIt'" IIYR3/4 IOYIt4/. 40 Z·IIY'''''' 10YIt.1'l 211Y"4/. 80 2 IIYR3/e 10 YIt.1'l 2'IIYIt,/4 120 IOYIt4/4 lOYlt&it 10yltW ISO z·IIYIt.I. 200 TAXANOMY: ENTISOL II'tCEPTlSOL AlJlSOL ENTISOL ENTISOL Typo<: U,torthent Typic U.tropept Udlc Rhoduatalt Fluvt4'ltic Ultorthent Typic Ultlfluvent I( E Y ; r.:"71,~ Chlorit. Schil' f.I11T1Jtmztl.d Amphibdn SdIi., L:::...:::...J~ Alluvium 1+ .," ...1 Iron ,¥ov.t. Fl9-6: PHYSIOGRAPHY AND SOILS RELATIONSHIP MIra, HILLOCKS UNDULATING TO GENTLY SLOPING VALLEY 910 15f5% ROLLING PEDIMENT PEDIMENT 5-10% 3-5·1. 1-3 0/ 0 960 9!>0 940 .., ~ .. 200 TAXANOMY' INCEPTISOL ALFISOL ENTISOL • Typtc: Ustropepl Ud.c: Rhoduatolf Typic: Ustifluvent KEY: I!!J Quartzite rn Alluvium I!: ~J Gravela FiCl, 7 PH'Y"SIOGRAPHY AND SOILS RELATIONSHIP Chap:UA. 4 THE SOILS The soils of Hassan district occur in different physiographic units such as hilly region, hillocks, undulating to rolling lands, gently sloping pediments, and valleys. In the development of these soils, climate, vegetation and relief have played a dominant role. The influence of parent material is realised in the undulating plain areas where vegetat ion is of scrub type. Brief descriptions of soil sl:!ries observed on different physiogra phic posit)ons, alongwith classification are given in Table 4. The soils representative of dominant series were collected and analysed for their physical and chemical properties and presented in Table 5. The soils of the hill ranges are very deep, loamy skeletal, clayey skeletal or clayey. Mostly, they are dark brown and yellowish red and occasionally red to dark red in colours. They have soft kaolin underly ing the solum. The soils show structural and textural '8' horizons. The soHs in the .. 'OBeys are very deep, grayisn, clayey and stratified, lime mayor may not be present. The soils of the undulating plains are shallow to very deep and gravelly to stony with rock outcrops. The identified soils (33 Soil Series) have been classified according to Soil T(:lxonomy (USDA, 1975) (Table 6). The data show that the studied soils belong to 3 orders (Alfisols, Inceptisols and Entisols), 4 sub orders (Ustalf, Tropept, Orthent and Fluvent), 5 Great groups (Rhodustalf, Haplustalf, Ustropept, Ustorthent and Ustifluvent), 14 Sub groups and 23 Families. The Fig.8 show that Alfisols are the dominant soils, occupying 34.4% followed by Entiwls occupying 28.9% and Inceptisols occupy 15.5% of the total geographical area of the district. Table 4. PHYSIOGRAPHY ANI) SOILS Of HASSAN I)ISTRiCT (KARNATA'CA) DomInant serle. I'Irlef l)escrlptlon Soli Physiography I. HILLY REGION Moderately to 24 HETIUR Very deep, well drained, dark brown to fine loamy Steeply-slopIng yellowish red, clay loam With e2-e3 TypIc Uatropept Hills er osion KOGARAVALLI Very deep, well drained, red to dark red, -=tlayey skeletal 54245 8.0 gravelly clay wIth e2oo83 erosion OxIc Rhodustalf AREHALLI Deep, well drained, brown to dark brown, Loamy skeletal gravelly clay loam with e2oo83 erosion Udlc Haplll$talf foot-hills 0\ 25 IDENAHALLI Very deep, well drained, yellowish brown, fine 10119 1.5 Valleys dey with el eros~on OXIC Haplustal{ 28 ADAGUR Very deep, moderately well draln~d, gray fIne 41438 6.1 Ish brown, clay water table (WIthin 1.5m) Typic Vstropept with el erosIon 29 YAGACHI Very deep, moderately well draIned, yello fine loamy, 7713 1.1 wish brown, stratified with eloo82 erosion Typic Vstt(luvent II. PLAIN REGION Hillocks R.OCI( P.,are rock e:tDQSures 12940 1.9 OUTCROPS 18 TEjlGERS Moderately deep excessively drained, dark Loamy sekeletal, 4976 0.7 red gravelly sandy clay loam with e2-e3 TypiC Ustorthent erosion 20 1410 0.2 Y~~fixpt'tDA- S~~~:;!/~fa';,ssll~~mdr:I~~de2,:!~ca:~~n LEft'::?:: sb~:~~~~ent Undulating to 13 56734 8.4 rolHng MACHr.~tHA- s~:a~:l:~ r~r~~a::2' g~~~h:~~a~~al~:~ LErt'1:k 'b:~~~~~ent Pediments with e200e3 erosion HONNAVALLl Deep, well drained, yeJ:owlsh red to red, Loamy s~e le,al 35201 5.2 gravelly clay loam with e2oo83 erosion Typic Ustrcpept 23 KORATAKERE Deep, well drained, yellowish brown, Loamy skeletal 36661 5.4 gravelly clay loam with e2oo83 erOSion Oxlc Ustropept I'IANAVARA Very deep, well drained, red to dark red, Loamy skeletal 19077 8ravelly, clay loam, eloo82 erosion Vdic Rhodust8/[ 5 CHALYA Deep, well drained yellowish red to red Loamy skeletal 41970 6.2 gravelly, sandy clay loam With e2oo83 Vdic Haplustalf erosion 10 KALLENA Very deep, well drained yellowish red to fine loamy 1410 0.2 HALLI red, calcareous, clay loam with e l-e2 TypIC Haplustalf erosion 9 KADABAGERE Very deep, well drained, red to dark red, fine 37374 5.5 clay WIth el-e2 erosion Oxic qhodustalf BAGOLU Very deep, well draIned, red to dark red, fIne 41110 6.1 clay with eloo82 erOSion Vdlc ~hodustalf Valleys 6 DOI)I)AKA Very deep, moderately well draIned, Fine loamy 14366 2.1 DANVR strong brown stratIfied with el erosion FluvCntlc Vstor thent II KANATUR Fine 54179 8.0 V;!rcadr~~u"s,I~r::f;,~~:r e~ra~~~~~ark gray. Typic Ustorthent 15 NUGG1HALLI Very deep, Imperfectly draIned, dark gray, FlOe 4893 0.7 calcareous, clay with el erosion (With Aruid Ustropept 1.5ml HEMAVATHI Fine loamy v:~rlo'fv~~~' b~~~~a:~:ti7;~~ ~~~~~' dark TYPIC Ustlfluvent erosion Tanks and Reservoir Water bodies 9881 1.4 Other associated soil, less representative of the area (for details 177017 26.1 Report on Hassan DiStrict) " Most soliS qualify lor mixed mineralogy and lsohypenhermlc temperature and ustlC moisture regimes Depth classes Shallow 7.5 to 22.5 em el slight Mode r ~tely deep 22.5 to 45.0 cm e2 moderate Deep 45.0 to 90.0 cm e3 severe Very deep 90 cm Table S. PHYSICAL ANI) CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF TYPICAL SOILS OF HASSAN DISTRICT (KARNATAKA) Te~tu ral Coarse Soli : Water: C.E.c. B.S. Extractable Horizon Sand Clay frag- 1 Silt class I: 2.5 cac031 meq 1100 g % catlono menU Ratio O~· t 100 gm clay Mg Ca T pH I EC soli I 3 4 5 6 -l! 9 10 II 12 I 14 15 25 IOE.NARACLi !i~){ I ~S Ap 84.3 2. 1 22.5 Sci 0.8 7.2 0.1 0.6 7.7 2p 76 4.9 0.9 Bt 45.6 6.0 46.2 C 5.7 7.0 0.1 0.2 6.2 I .3 60 3.2 0.4 18 TEjlGERE SERIES Ap 79.3 8.6 19.1 gol 43.2 7.3 0.3 0.3 10.7 52.3 72 6.4 0.8 Ac 75.2 2.0 21.7 gsel 72.5 6.9 0.1 0.06 12.3 56.6 80 5.8 5.1 13 MACYENAfiAtLi SERIES Ap 76.3 1.3 15.4 gls 9.7 6.3 0.1 0.4 6.2 40.2 76 2.1 'l.6 Ac' 70.0 13.0 16.3 glo 62.8 6.3 0.1 0.2 7.4 45.4 78 8 I-iONNAVALLI SEqlES Ap 72.2 11:8 11.5 Is 1.9 6.1 0.1 0.2 9.8 80.8 85 3.4 4.1 q 65.7 B.5 753 gsel 40.8 6. 1 0. 1 • 0.1 13.9 54.5 85 6.6 4.9 4 I3ANAVA'~A Sr::ql~ Ap 56.3 3.0 31..0- gsel 60.6 6.8 0.1 0.5 16.9 47.8 91 8.7 6.2 '3t 5 1. 1 4.1 43.6 gc 69.1 6.8 0.1 0.3 29.3 66.5 93 14.5 13.0 5 CHAL YA So::qll::S Ap 14.1 4.1 19.2 gsl 22.5 7.4 0.01 0.7 12.5 48.0 84 8.2 1.8 Bt 55.4 10.1 34.2 gse 62.5 7.2 0.01 0.3 18.7 54.1 87 12.9 2.7 10 KALLENAHALLI SeRIES Ap 62.7 9.0 25.6 sel Nil 7.4 0.1 0.5 19.5 69.5 83 12.7 3.0 8t 47.0 11.8 43.5 c Nil 8.0 0.1 0.2 20.2 46.7 92 13.9 3.7 9 KAI)NIAr;F.;qr:: srqlES '\p 66.2 6.? 20;.0; scI <;.9 6.1 0.\ 0.0; ~ . " 28.2 ~9 o;.!> \.'2 Bt 45.5 7.9 50.2 c 6.8 6.3 0.1 0.3 10.2 20.3 76 5.5 1.5 11 KANATUR SERIES Ap 68.5 4.8 17.3 01 12.5 9.2 0.4 0.7 1.08 10.9 53.1 93 8.6 0.9 C 22.4 25.6 52.2 c 15.2 9.8 0.5 0.4 1.92 30.2 56.3 100 16.5 10.5 15 NUGGIHALLI SERIES 64.8 7.1 27.7 sel 3.0 8.6 0.3 0.7 0.51 23.8 79.7 89 9.8 10.1 ~p 48.3 6.9 44.3 c 3.5 8.2 0.1 0.4 1.03 24.4 52.8 97 12.7 8.6 7 HEMAVATHI SERIES 86.2 2.1 12.2 Is 6.1 7.4 0.1 0.5 7.6 52.4 78 4.4 1.5 ~p 84.2 2.0 18.2 . 1 1.2 7.6 0.1 0.4 8.2 39.5 82 5.1 1.8 IIc 68.2 2.5 26.2 sci 7.2 0. 1 0.5 1S.2 38.0 86 12.3 2.0 Note: Soli aeperat.,. In the .ubsurface Is the weighted average of all the horizon upto parent materlal/CEC for 100 g clayb estimated .00 the basi. of clay and Organic CarbOn 'fable 6. SOIL TAXONOMY OF HASSAN DISTRICT (KARNATAKA) Series Family Sub group Great group Order Bagolu Fine Udic Rhodustalf Banavar Loamy skeletal Kadabagere Fine Rhodustalf Oxic Rhodustalf Kogaravalli Clayey skeletal Chalya, Arehalli Loamy skeletal Udic HapJustalf Ustalf Alfisol Rlccodu, Idenahalli Fine Oxic Haplustalf Haplustalf Kallenahalli Fine loamt Typic Haplustalf Adagur. Banankere Fine Honnavalli, Sunnakalluhosuru Loamy skeletal Typic Ustropept Ramanathapura, Basavana- Fine loamy halli Bellur Fine Koratakere Loamy skeletal Oxic Ustropept Hettur Fine loamy Ustropept Tropept Inceptisol Kodigehalli, Maradanahalli Fine Vertic Ustropept Nuggihalli. Konanur Fine Aquic Us~ropept Valambige, Mandanahalli Loamy skeletal Lithic Ustropept Doddakadanur Fine loamy Fluventic Ustorthent Machenahalli, Yedegondana- Loamy skeletal Lithic Ustorthent halJi Ustorthent : The mineralogy is mixed and temperature regime is !sohyperthermic for all the soils Fig.8 IIIIIIIIII A'I f i sol ~ Inceptisol WEntisol ~ Others (Rock outcrops and water bod i es) Fig.8. DISTRIBUTION OF SOILS ChapiRJt 5 SOIL SURVEY INTERPRETATIONS FOR LAND USE PLANNING Evaluation of land for landuse planning is a consequent step following the mapping process. In the recent past, it has gained high popularity in almost every land development programme. Generally the agronomist would generate this kind of information after conduct ing field experiments on individual soil mapping units. Since this would take considerable time, planning will have to proceed with the infor mation given in the soil survey reports. In view of the practical need for exploiting soils of the Hassan district for optimum landuse plann ing, land capability, irrigability, productive and problem soils, suggested land use and soil suitability for crops has been worked out for the mapped soil units. 5. 1 Land capability : Land capability classification is an interpretative grouping made primarily for broad agricultural, forestry and non-agricultural use. The arable soils are grouped, according to their limitations, in Class !-IV; the forestry soils are grouped in Class VI & VII; the Class VIII soils have maximum limitation are used for recreation or quarrying. Further sub-division of the classes have been based on the domi nant limiting factor, such as 'e' for erosion, 's' for soil, 'd' for drain age and 'w' for wetness. The soil mC\pping unit have been grouped into different subclasses and indicated in Table 7. 5.2 Irrigability It has already been indicated earlier 16 per cent of the total cropped area is under irrigation. The irrigated areas are generally in Plains and valleys. The soils of the area were evaluated to suitability ]" " .' , , T , ( - , ..) I' , R(" I ~ '/ C ~ .' 1I i .' - ; ! ~ r. e.:: . : ,/} .:_:l oJ .'; ') If() I 20 Table 7. LAND CAPABILITY CLASSIFICATION Map Land Oescription Area Percent Sym Capability ha. bol Sub-class lis Good lands under irrigation with minor 174975 25.8 problems - clayey subsoil salinity, drainage 2 lie Good lands with minor problems erosion 80RRQ 11.9 hazard, low fertility 3 IlIe \1oderately good lands with problems of 19077 2.8 erosion 4 mes Moderately good lands with problems of 41970 6.2 erosion gravelliness 5 IVes fairly good lands with problems of slope, 40177 S.O gravelliness and erosion 6 VIes Lands not suitable for cultivation with 65608 9.7 shallow soils gravelliness, steep slopes, severe erosion 7 lIles-Ile(Vles) Moderately good and good lands with lands 46217 S.8 not suitable for agriculture with minor to severe problems of soil-erosion 8 lYe-VIes (IVes) fairly good lands and some lands not 36661 5.4 suitable for agriculture with gravelly soils, steep slopes, erosison 9 VIes (IIIes) Lands not suitahle for agriculture nnd 27239 4.0 some moderately good lands with erosion hazard and gravelly soils 10 VIe-VIes Lande; not suitable for agriculture with steep 54245 B.D slopes to be permanently under vegetation 11 rVe-IlIe fairly good and some moderately good 10119 1.5 lands with erosion hazard 12 IVe-Vle-Vles fairly good lands and some lands not SUit- 60466 8.9 able for agriculture l'Vith steep slopes and erosion hazard 13 VI1I Hillocks and base rock outcrops 12940 1.9 for irrigation so that where possible more area could be brought under irrigation, particularly after the complet:on of the Hemavathi project. Soil irrigability classification is made on the basis of important soil characteristics namely surface, soil texture, depth, available water retention capacity and permeabIlity, alkali and saline conditions. Land irrigability classification is made taking into consideration, in addition to soil irrigability class, the quantity and quality of water, drainage requirements, topography, and economic considerations. Irrigability class includes both soil and land irrigability classes. Sub-classes have been divised to cover similar limitations such as's'- problems due to soils, 'd' - problems due to drainage, and 't' problems due to topography. Mapping units in the soil map have been grouped into various irrigability class and subclass (Table 8). Table 8. J1~ q_[0A~ILITY CLASSIFICATION Descri ption Area Percent ha. Irrigable lands with r,lOderate limitat 213757 31.5 ion; texture, Alkalinity, drainage Irrigable lands wIth severe limitations 84075 12.4 of gentle slopes, gravelly subsoIl l\;arginally irrigable lands undulating 61659 9.1 slopes, gravelliness, stoniness, excess run off 4 6st Lands not suitable for irrigation, 190854 28.2 shalJow gravelly soi Is, steep slopes and hills 5 3s-6st Irrigable lands with severe limitations 46217 6.8 gentle slopes gravelly subsOil; so ••le lands not suitable for irrigation 6 6st-3s Lands not suitable for irrigation 27239 4.0 shallow gravelly soils; some irrigable lands with severe limitation, gentle slopes, gravelly subsoil 7 4st-6st Marginally irrigable lands, undulatIng 36661 5.4 slopes gravelly soils, stony soil; some lands not suitable for irrigation 8 4st-3s fvlaringally irrigable lands, undulating 10119 1.5 slopes; some irrigable lands severe limitation of gentle slopes 5.3 Productive solis : Soils identified and mapped in the district which have least limi tations and are expected to respond well to management for major crops are classified under productive soils. Based on soil characteri stics and availability of water, the soil mapping units have been group ed under two classes: Good and average (Table 9). Table 9. PROl)l)CTlVE SOlLS Map Productivity Soil map _ Description Recommendations Area Sym class units Ha Percent bol 1. '3ood 6,7,11,12, Very deep, moder- Response to Manage- 1,74,985 25.8 14, I 5, 16, ately well drainec1, ment is good. Suit- 27,28,29, clayey and loamy able for paddy, sugar- 30 soils in valley cane, coconut, finger regions. millet, vegetables and flowers. Two crops can be taken. 2. Average 2,3,5,9, Very deep, welt RequIre minimum soil 1,69,076 24.9 10,21 drained clayey and and water conservat- gravefly clay loar., ion measures. ~es- soils with high moist- ponse to manageli1e_nt ure retentivity on is average 4nder dry very gently sloping land agriculture. lands. Suitable for long duration crops. 5.4 Problem solis : Soils with considerable limitations which hinder crop growth and yield are termed problem soils. problems associated with soilss of Hassan district are shallow to moderate rooting depth, gravelliness, stoniness, rockiness, low to moderate water retentivity, poor fertility status, tendency towards development of saline and alkali conditions, 23 high water table, flooding, sheet, rill and gully erosion and steep slopes. Based on the mtenSlty of the above limitations, soil mapping units have been grouped into three c1ass~s : slight, moderate and severe (Table 10). Table 10. P~OBLEM SOILS Map Intensity Soil map Associated problems Recommendations Area Sym- of Problem unit Ha Percent Slight 8, 13, 22 Shallow to moderat~ ~equire Intensive 1,19, 174 17.6 rooting depth, grave- soil and water con- Ily, stony, few rock servation measures outcrops gentle to and dry farming moderate slopes, practices. Suitable sheet erosion, scanty for pastures and vegetation, limited agriculture, 2 Moderate 17, 18, 19 Shallow rooting depth, Require high input 12,440 1.8 gravelly, stony and in soil and water rocky soils, moderate conservation meas- to steep slopes, ures and dry farm- severe erosion scanty ing practices. vegetation. Suitable for forestry, pastures and limited agricul ture of short duration crops. 3 Severe 1, 20 J{ocky, bouldery, Require permanent 14,350 2.1 stony with very vegetative cover. shallow rooting depth, Suitable for quarrying steep slopes. Cxcess- recreatIOn and forms ive relief very thin good catchment for scrub vegetation. watersheds, possibi- City of construction of storage tanks. 5.5 Suggested land use : The survey has provided information on the distribution of SOils, their morphology, physico-chemical characteristics and qualities of diff erent soils in the district. Major crors grown in the district are given in Table 3. Management of soils under different land capability and 24 and irrigability classes has been discussed. The problem and productive soils have been grouped and described. Based on the above interpret ation, the suggested land use patterns are recommended for the identi fied and mapped soil umts. The recommendations given furnish general guidelines tor cropping and management. The suggested land use is gi veri in Table J I. Table 11. SUGGESTED LAND USE Map Description and soil map units Suggested Land; use symboi Hill .ranges with steep' to moderate slopes Suitable for plantation crops and main having very deep salls and high rainfall tenance of forest. Crops recommended areas includes the soil mapping units of are - Coffee, Tea, Citrus, pepper, cardamom, Tapioca, cashew Hettur-Kogaravalli-Arehalli (24) Bellur-Idenahalli (25) and Biccodu-Hettur-Arehalli (26) 2 Hillocks with rock outcrops and shallow gra Suitable for forestry and pasture. Quarry velly soils with stantness includes the soil ing and mimng of economic minerals mapping units : Rock outcrops tl) and Yedegondanahalli (20) 3. Undulating to rolling lands with few rock Suitable for grazing land and farm fores outcrops and gravelly sods includes soil try with small areas for dry land agri mapping umts : culture of short duration crops Chalya (S), Honwavalli (8) Machenshalli (13), Crops recommended are: Horsegram, Sunnakalluhosuru (17) Tejlgere (18), groundnut, sesamum, cowpea, pearl ValamOi&e (19) and association of series, millet and fodder crops Machenahalli-Ramanathapura-Mandanahalll (22) 4. Gently sloping lands with very deep clayey Suitable for agriculture with minor amend and loamy soils ing_ludes soil mapping units ments of soil and water conservation, Rainfed crops recommended are : riner Bagolu (2), Banankere (3) Kadabagere (9), millet, sorghum, pulses, castor, pearl Kal1enahalJi (10) and association of series millet, hybrid maize Basavanahall i-Arehalli-Koratakere (23), Chalya-Bagolu-Machenahalli (21) Irrigated crops are : finger millet, sorghum. groundnut, rice, mulberry, potato, vegel ables, flowers and coconut 5 Valley lands (Tank Command areas and Suitable for agriculture with very minor river valleys) with very deep, clayey and amendments for drainage loamy soils under tank and canal irrigat Crops recommended are. ion includes soil mapping units : Doddakadanul (6), Hemavathi (7) Kanatur (II) Kharif : rice, sugarcane, finger millet, Kodigehalli (12), ~l a vinkaere (14), vegetables and flowers Nugl;ihalli (15), Srinivasapura (16) and asso Rabi : Bengal gram, peas, onion, potato Ciation of series Kon 5.6 Soil suitabilitv of ragi It has been generally realised that the user agencies look forward for the interpretations of the soil map in terms of its suit ability for growing crops, so as to make the optimum use of the limited land resource. It is well known that most of the crops need well-draintd moderately-fine to medium-textured soils, free of salinity and having optimum physical environments. Soil maps based on several paramet ers, can aid in predicting the behaviour and suitability of soils fo~ growing crops. In many areas, soil surveys have been completed showing the extent and distribution of various kinds of soils, but practically no attempts have been made to evaluate the suitability of such soils for growing crops so that such findings could find appli cation in other areas with comparable soil characteristics. Based on the soil site characteristics of the studied soils, (Table 12), the mapped soils of the Hassan district w~s grouped into different suitability classes based on the parametric approach of fAO (1975) as modified by Sehgal and Associates for Ragi crop which covered more than 1/3 of the total cultivated area (20% of the total geographical area). The evaluation has been based on the several parameters. Every soil unit was rated as per limitation technique using site characteristics (Table 13). The limi ation of two indicate that the crop still be grown economically but with a marginal profit. The degree of . limitations allocated for each property in respect of each map soil unit as shown in Table 14 and overall suitability of the soils determined based on the degree and the number of limitat ions for that particular unit. The final soil suitability is based on the number and degree of limitation(s) as per definitions of the following criteria Order'S' Suitable : Land on which sustained use of the kind under consideration is expected to yield benefits without unacceptable risk to land resources. .. a ta '5 ! I~ II 10 , I I IS.: on", on ..... ,.,0 ,J •• ,~ "II) III ..,'" "'0 ...... tlII , I a:~ 00 ,~ ..... t ... '" Hl§ .. " , I I III , I ~ i onrt r:~ , I .... ]! Nell M .. .,,..."!~ .,"! .. ., l=fij§l CD'" M ~! ..; .."...... I '8' u u- fH , ... , ... I , ... , "'0 , "'0 ...... il ,:Ii ...... •• .0 .. K-; ...... " ... I I I I , , I ~t.... o 00 00 00 00 00 00 o o 00 til ...:II on CDO ,...... Non 0", NM ON iet] ...... 0'" ...... '"... '"...... ,...... J~ '" .. iA 1>11 • • ...u I'" 8 on o o on o .., rt, '".., ..., '", ': ! CD o M on I"·c ijjl" .. ~ .. ~ .. ... I~ ,~ .... ,.. :.,.~ >o'ii .'ii... .. ~ 8'1' ~l~ '" eN ClN on ~o I ...... , ... . I'" "0,II ...... 0 ....0 ...... '" 01- a- I~ ~- c1.- ~ "... > Il> ... :g e- ...... a .. u ... 9= e a ..i .. 1l ,.. g "i II I: ,; ...Ii a J ... --- 1 6 :. :. ~ :: A. ., '" . . o rt M ., "'00" ...... oO "U~~ I.. .. '" ...... '"...... a ~• IOJ u ...co U 1 .; .. • III III III ! I c. t:"! 1 i 00 21 .; .. % .. III • I ! 1 11'10 • ::I z .or! '"III ~ ~ ! -4 .. .. .; '" • 111 III III j c: j " f ...e...... ! .., ... ~ , :I co • • • I .. :: ~ :: .....• a: ••• "II J ..~ I ...• . '! ... .. o ID ...... "I ...... '"" Table 13. CRITERU USED IN ~ESSING SUITABILITY POR MGI Soil Bite Sliqht Very characteristics None 0 1 2 3 .. Climate (Annual Rainfall in 111ft) 750 500-750 400-500 400 Topography 1-3 3-5 5-10 10-15 15 (slope pe~ <>nt) Drainage Mod.r8~ Imperfect Poor Very tely to w~Jt Excessi- poor well ive Texture loam silt clay loam Loamy sand 8andy silty and fin. clay clay silty clay 10em 10_ c,hy clay Gravellinea.t.to~1ne.8 Volume j Surface 3 3-5 15-40 40-75 75 percent SUbBur~8C. 15 15-40 40-75 75 Boil Depth (CUl) 80 50-80 20-50 20 Lime 15 15-25 25-50 50 (percent) Cation Exchenge 16 10-16 5-10 5 Cap8C1ty (soil) (meq/100 g;u) B8S8 saturation 80 50-GO 35-50 35 (percent) II:t Over- Suita- 1:C'., -, '1.1 ... aet.- all bility raUGa 11.. 1- cl ••• tat10n a ~ t 1 1 "1 w • o o 1-2 51-2 I ....."... 0 1 1 ...... ~ • o o o 1-2 81-2 • ...... 1 I 1 a a 1 • • o o 2 S2 I c..lra 0 I 1 1-1 •1__ S a· ...a o o 2 S2 • ...... 0 • o 1 • t o 1-2 51-2 , I ...Oi 0 o o l-a ~ o o o 1 0-1 1-2 51-2 a.....u1 1 I 1 2-1 1 I a 1 1 o 2-3 53 ,• ... ' tal.' • 1 1 0-1 2-1 1 o o 1 o 1-2 81-2 10 KaU...... ul 0 1 1 1 1 1 o • o o 1 81 11 ~._. . o • 1 1-2 o o o o o 1-2 81-2 12 Jro4'"h'!,l • o o 1 1-2 o o o 1-2 81-2 U ...... -u. 1 I w 1-2 l 2 2 2 2 1 2-3 53 14 ...~ 0 o o o 0-1 o o o 81 15 lflagvih.uS 0 o 1 o 2 o o o o o 1-2 81-2 l' 8rlJd...... ,.ara 0 o o 1 1 o 1 o o o 1 S1 l' 1IuIID_e11llboftn 0 , 1-2 1-2 1 , 2 1 4 112 ,_. 1 , 2 , 1. ~'J~ 0 1-2 1-2 , 2-' H2 19 Vel.-b1oe 0 ,_.2-' 1-2 2 1 2 2-' 4 Hl ao Y'''OIl-h -.us 0 2 2 1 3 2 2-' 4 H2 21 Qlal,e-811901u- acacm-ebe1l1 0 1-2 1 1 1-2 1 1 o 1-2 81-2 22 MecbeBIhe1U- a ...lIl.tbpor_ NeD4aDlhelU 0 , 1-2 2-' 1 2 1 2-3 53 8 .....a.lebalU Anbe1U- Kor.tM.... 0 1 1 2 2 0-1 83 Hettur-Kogu... elU- &nJIell1 0 1 1 1-2 1 1 o 3-4 N2 25 a.llu-:u.aeballS 0 1 1 2 1 1 o 1 1 2-3 53 26 8iDoodQ-Hettu: Anball1 o , 1 1-2 o o o , H2 27 ItoD_ur- 8r1J>1..... epur.. MeredllDehelli o o 1 2 o o o 1-2 28 ~1I"re o o o o 1-2 o o o 1-2 29 Y89echl-6degUr ...1II_.re o o o 0-1 1-2 o o o 1-2 81-2 30 ~.thi-Koo.-r MIIQV o o o 1-2 2-1 o o o 1-2 81-2 29 5-1. Highly Suitable Land unit (s) represents optimum conditions for plant growth, without limitations or with only slight limitations. SI-2 Suitable As above with slight to moderate limitations or slight to and/or no more than 1 moderate limitations. S-2. Moderately Suitable Land unit(s) representing nearly optimal conditions, affects prod uctivity by 20% or less; have slight limitations and/or no more than 3 moderate limitations. S-3. Marginally Suitable Land unit(s) representing moderate conditions, affects productivity significantly, but still economical (marginally) have more than 3 moderate limitations and/or no more than 1 severe !imitating that, however, does not exclude the use of land. Order 'N' Not Suitable : Land which has qualities that appear to preclude sustained use of the kind under consideration. N-l. Currently Not Suitable Land unit(s) representing marginal conditions and uneconomical to use; have one severe limitation that excludes the use of the land or more than one severe limitation that can be corre cted. N-2. Permanently Not Suitable Land unit(s) which yield below the profitable level; inhibits the use of land for considered land use; have severe or very severe limitations which excludes the use of the land and which cannot be corrected. 30 The summarised version of the soils falling in different suitabi lity classes is given in Table 15. The data show that most (41.1%) of the soils are suitable for cultivation of Ragi crop; 3.4% I)f the area is highly suitable, 9.1% of the area is moderately suitable and 24.5% of the area is marginally suitable for Ragi crop. 1.8% of the area is un suitable for the above purpose but potentially suitable. 19% of the area is both unsuitable under the present and potential situation. It may be observed that unsuitable soils presently anej potent ially are localised in the western part of the district and have two major limitations viz. topography and stoniness. The soils which are presently unsui.table but potentially suitable are located in the southern part of the district and have major limitation of surface stoniness which can be taken care of with high inputs. The suitable soils are generally On gently sloping pediments and valleys. The soils are very deep, well drained to moderately well drained. Soil suitability for eucalyptus plantation . Eucalyptus plantations are important raw materials for many industries and also they are evergreen trees. The suitability of soils for eucalyptus plantation of Hassan district were evaluated in similar lines as that done for Ragi. The criteria used for assessing the suitabi lity is given in Table 16. The degree of limitations allOCated for eacn property in respect of each mapped soil unit is shown in Table 17. The summarised versison of the soils falling in different suitability classes is given iA Table 18. A map showing the distribution of the suitability of SOils for eucalyptus plantation is also prepared. It may be observed· that the suitable soils occupy about 8.3% of the area and are distributed in the central and southern part of the district, They are very deep soils in valley regions. Moderately suitable soils are distributed in the eastern and central portion of the district covering 36.5%. They are very deep clayey and loamy soils on gently ,.,•• f'1• o 01 01• f'1 (0 ,., r- f'1 III III• ~ 10 0 0 •0 01 .. '".. .. • 0 ,., 01 f'1 ...... N r- III N 01 .. IO 10.. f'1 N N f'1 f'1.. I H I III 1.4• ~ ...... I-.4N - .,B i ..... RIII ...... I 1112_ I .... CO-.4 III": ... II a -"'11110(0-.4 ":IIJ ... lire 10- >. ~ "'..: - ... -.4-., lUi 10 ...:a ~ 1.4 1II!i III i >i ... ., H ::II.4B6 1.4~1IIQI> ::»:oro illl (IlQl, ..::! .. -I .. 'tJ~~~~ leN ... • • ~ ...... (0 1IJ~1Il ::I~ ~ - ,,!ttl ... c: ...... e~ ~ •... fU .. - 10 >_ ""'-::I,.,N .... UU n. f'1",,,, - U ~ ..... C:fOl "-.4 8...... ,~~0\""3 ...... ,'" .... -rB e ='1%1 i ~ .... 1.4 .... -.4 0 ., 4» III .. II 3. .. ~ 5 ...... ,it"'" .. 1.4,,:...... 1.4 "'" U • ... i "'" • -.4.-4 ." CJ ...... 111111,., • II) ,.,. 01 OIN ,it "'" i ., ~ i ...... c:i'" 11 ~~ .... - fU 01.... G .....III III - t • .a..,:z; =' ...... ~ _ Ii • ...... ~ § x ...... ~'tI ...... ~o CI 10 ..:'tIJ:4 r- -0 ...... I GllIII ...... r-I,., >. U~II -.-4 NCO tJ! ..... ,Jt.~_ClN ...... • a ...... i "'..: ...... , G i ...... : III ~ .... 0 - ..... CI ~ ~ x~.., III III f'1111 (j .. IIIG .... e a ~ III .... ~ II i~"" i~ && ...... ~ 1.4 ~~ "'1-.... 10 =' a:a--.4..: .... flO .., .... N .... II .... 1lI .... , co ~ .. ~ g,~ ... ! .-410 .- .c: ... - H ~ ~ III I III ...... 10 ...... III IV -.4..: .... a ::» .... GG N:5.c:'i-.4 • ...... ~& fiG .... CI) ., .c:~ -111.::1 .c: - ...... > .... 111-.4 - ... 111 .... '010 ...... , ~ > 01 .... 'i ~ c: So4 llJ akfU • ac: ='co .... CI co lIJi .tj co • .... & o III": U III ...... 1.4 E~ ~OIC: i ...... t a III f'1 .... 0) i:!~:J!~:2 SilltiS '0 III i ~> I§S ...• lIoC a:a a:a :2 :! ~ i ....• it • e-, • ...... , ., ...... ~ -...... ~ ...... , ~ ...... ~ ~ • i.., ..,i I- III •III ....• ...... ::I 'S ! a u i ...... til !~ .... ., If 8. III co e-, ...... >. • .. -.4 .., :l >. .. .., .... Ni ....., ... • .... e a .... • t ., ., ...... "'" ...... f'1>, ...... III i~ i: g (I) .... (I):l COL4 1Zl·.-4"'i .... N.,,f .... i (I) "'" "'!J z .... ., $ (I)~ ~., ...... 08 10 .... i~ .... CI C::l :z: x J;l. 0)" ....i ...... -8; SoU 81t. cbaraeter~aUc. CLDMt.T& ~ aa~nf.ll (.. ) SOO-1000 250-600 150 1000-1500 15')0 18-22 22-25 26 8 - *" ~C) 8-12 !OJIO 3 Call) 3-15(all) 1~-40\.11) 40-75 Call) 7'1 3-15 (tig) 15-40 40-75 (flgr) 75 (fl gr) (all) (Ullr) - hbaoil .1 3-15 15'40 40-75 75 80XL IlaPTH (CII) 121 80-120 SO-.eC 20-SO 20 LDIK " 3-15 C-3 lO'SO 50-75 75 15-30 .... 8I.TOII4'llOM" 80 35 MLIIII'fT .1l1li to _4. fi_ tex. 2 2-4 15 Coar.. to -.d. 4 ,.... 25 '_Cl'l'Y (UP) 15 15-25 ..,. I (.) IitJ:UCtur" (Ia) _.1•. (aU) all aiM. of gravela Q aw-. (fgr) fiQcl gr... l 2.5 CII 41_ter Source I IntrodUctory Pedalo\})'. J .L. Sehgal , 1< ..'" ., 0 ... " 0- II ~~~ '" '" ;0 0- 0. " ~~..., H ft ~ ~ ; ~ ~ ~ 0 ~ w a 'ti.af1'O';";.J .. f) U 0 0 .. 0 U o ,,., .... " ""II) ...... , .., N ...... '" ., ~ ... ': ..I ! ' J~Ji I " N " " ~ " " N " ~ ~ ft ~ N 0 600 0 ...... to N ... • I • ... )' ;.~/$:: o N o 000 0 ." ... ~t~ o 0 0 Q 0 0 " 0 000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o o o 000 o 0 ;;!.!i ...... I• • ....• .. I ..I ... , , -, , ... '" ...:z: .. ... !I 11' ,1 'i' ...... )' .., .., • I .... .-4,('111 " ,0'0 til ~ ~ ~ 0 6 " , ~ , o ~ ...... " I~~ ...... I~ ~;: ':.: 000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o o o ...... 0" ..... 1 .... • ..'"0 ! .....• Ii , ~ ..,11••. .,~s: .-4 ~ QI!: ... tl)CC: o ..N ,., ox ...... ::J III Table 18. SUITABILITY OF MAPPING UNITS FOR EUCALYPTUS P~TATION Suitabllity class Mapping units Area in ha. Percent 51 6, 7, 1., 16, 56,219 8.3 (Highly suitable) 27. 10 52 2, 3, ., 5, 9 2,.7,556 36.5 (Moderately suitable) 11, 12, 15, 21 53 8, 13, 17 ... 18, 1,.77,398 :?f!: • .: (Marginally suitable> 19, 20, 22, 23, 29 N2 24, 25, 26. 28 1,89,.10 27.9 (Unsuitable presently 30 and potentially) sloping and undulating pediments. Marginally suitable soils have least area of distribution (26.2%) and they are on undulating to rolling pedi ments. The unsuitable soils (27.9%) are in the western portion of the district which get heavy rainfall and have steep slopes where eucalyptus will have fungus attack due to high humidity (personal communication) which is the reason of clas.sifying the soils as permanently unsuitable. CONCLUSION Soils of Hassan district, Karnataka have been mapped, characterised, classified and interpreted. Productive soils occurring along valleys and gently sloping pediments cover about 50.7 per cent. They are very deep, clayey and loamy, with high water retentivity and are suitable for raising climatically adapted crops. These soils are expected to respond well to management. They require minor amendments in drainage and soil and water conservation measures. Problem soils cover about 21.5 per cent and occur along undulating to rolling lands. They have shallow rooting depth, gravelliness, rockiness and erosion hazard. They are suitable for pasture lands, farm forestry and occasional CUltivation of minor crops. They require intensive soil and water conservation measures. The hill ranges (malnad) nee'cl to be permanently cover.ed with vegetat Ion where there is ample scope for growing plantation crops like coffee, pepper, orange, cordamum. The forest species are to be maintained for ecological balance. LIST Of 1 ABLES Table Climatological Data of Hassan District, Kamataka Table 2 Land Use of Hassan District, Karnataka (1978-79) Table 3 Distribution of Major Crops in Hassan District, (Taluk-wise) (1979-80) Table 4 Physiography and Soils of Hassan District, Karnataka Table 5 Physical and Chemical Properties of Typical Soils of Hassan District. Karnataka Table 6 Soil Taxonomy of Hassan District Table 7 Land Capability Classification Table 8 Irrigability Classification Table 9 Productive Soils Table 10 Problem Soils Table 11 Suggested Land use Table 12 Criteria Used in AsseSSing Suitability for Ragi Table 13 Soil and Site Characteristics, Hassan District, Karnataka Table 14 Suitability Classification of Soils of Hassan District, Karnataka for Ragi Table 15 Suitability of Mapping Units for Ragi Table 16 Criteria Used for Assessing Suitability for Eucalyptus Plantation Table 17 Suitability Classification of Soils of Hassan District, Karnataka for Eucalyptus Plantation Table 18 Suitability of Mapping Units for Eucalyptus Plantation UST OF nGURES 1. Location of Hassan district 2. Geology of Hassan district 3. Precipitation, temperature and water balance 4. Land use 5. Major crops 6. Physiography and soils relationship 7. Physiography and soils relationshsip '3. Distribution of soils LIST OF MAPS !. Physiography 2. Soils 3. Land capability 4. Irrigability 5. Productive soils 6. Problem soils 7. Present land use 8. Suggested land use 9. Suitability of soils for ragi 10. Suitability of soils for eucalyptus plantation