Application of Fertility Capability Classification System in Rice Growing Soils of Damodar Command Area, West Bengal, India
Application of Fertility Capability Classification System in Rice Growing Soils of Damodar Command Area, West Bengal, India
Original Article
Abstract
The fertility capability classification (FCC) system was used to group the rice growing soils of Damodar
command area (part), which offering similar kind of limitations towards proper soil management and land use
planning. The soils of the command area were surveyed on 1: 50,000 scale and classified into 12 different
taxonomic classes. These 12 soil series were grouped into seven FCC units, which indicated that soil individuals
in a single FCC unit do not necessarily belong to the same taxonomic class. Nine soil series were loamy while
the remaining three soil series were clayey type. Moisture regime (g/ g+), free CaCO3 (b), vertic properties (v),
nutrient reserve (K) and potential Fe toxicity (i+) were the condition modifiers used. By formulating FCC units
attempt was made to identify the specific problems and potentials of the study area towards the adoption of
alternate land use options.
Corresponding author: Department of Soil Science, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan- 731236, West Bengal, India.
Received on: 5 Dec 2014
Revised on: 15 Dec 2014
Accepted on: 23 Dec 2014
Online Published on: 30 Dec 2014
330 J. Recent. Adv. Agr., 2014, 2(12): 330-337
APPLICATION OF FERTILITY CAPABILITY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM IN …
Table 1A: Morphological characteristics of surface and subsurface horizons of the identified soil series (described
following Soil Survey Manual, Soil Survey Staff, 1951).
Soil Soil Mottle
Horizon Depth (cm) Texture Structure Consistence Porosity
Boundary colour colour
Pedon 1 : Khamrp soil series (Fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Aeric Endoaquepts)
Ap 0 – 14 cs 10YR4/3 - l puddled vfr –so po vf - m
Bw1 14 – 42 gs 10YR5/3 10YR5/6 cl m 2 sbk fr –ss ps vf - m
Pedon 2 : Totpara soil series (Fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Endoaquepts)
Ap 0 – 20 cw 2.5Y5/4 - sicl puddled vfr – so po fi - m
Bw1 20 – 60 cw 5Y5/2 7.5YR4/4 sicl m 2 sbk fi - sp vfi - m
Pedon 3 : Karjana soil series (Fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Endoaquepts)
Ap 0 – 13 cw 10YR5/3 - sil puddled vfr –so po fi - m
Bw1 13 – 33 gw 2.5Y6/2 7.5YR4/4 sicl m 2 sbk vfr –so po vfi - m
Pedon 4 : Banpara soil series (Fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Endoaquepts)
Ap 0 – 15 cs 5Y5/2 - l puddled vfr - sopo c-m
Bw1 15 – 32 cs 5Y4/1 10YR5/8 cl m 1 sbk fr – ss ps fi - m
Pedon 5 : Hangram soil series (Fine, mixed, hyperthermic Vertic Eutrudepts)
Ap 0 – 11 cs 2.5Y4/4 - c puddled vfi – vs vp f–m
A3 11 – 25 cs 2.5Y4/2 10YR5/6 c c 2 bk vfi – vs vp f–m
Pedon 6 : Sonagachi soil series (Fine, mixed, hyperthermic Aeric Endoaquepts)
Ap 0 – 12 cw 10YR5/3 - c puddled fi - s p f-c
Bw1 12 – 35 gw 10YR6/3 7.5YR6/6 c m 2 sbk fi - vs vp vf - f
Table 1B: Morphological characteristics of surface and subsurface horizons of the identified soil series (described
following Soil Survey Manual, Soil Survey Staff, 1951).
Soil Soil Mottle
Horizon Depth (cm) Texture Structure Consistence Porosity
Boundary colour colour
Pedon 7 : Bhensul soil series ( Fine, mixed, hyperthermic Aeric Endoaquepts)
Ap 0 – 13 cw 10YR5/3 - cl puddled fi – s p vf - f
Bw1 13 – 42 gw 10YR 6/3 10YR4/4 sic m 2 sbk fi – s p vf - c
Pedon 8 : Kharjuli soil series ( Fine, mixed, hyperthermic Vertic Endoaquepts)
Ap 0 – 11 cs 10YR7/2 - cl puddled vfr – so po c-f
Bw1 11 – 30 gw 10YR7/1 7.5YR5/8 cl c 2 sbk fr – ss ps f-c
Pedon 9 : Hargram soil series ( Fine, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Endoaquepts)
Ap 0 – 13 cw 10YR5/3 - cl puddled fr – ss ps f-f
A12 13 – 33 gw 10YR6/3 7.5YR4/4 cl m 2 sbk fr – ss ps f-m
Pedon 10 : Kasipur soil series ( Fine, mixed, hyperthermic Aeric Endoaquepts)
Ap 0 – 14 cw 10YR5/3 - l puddled fr – so po vf - f
Bw1 14 – 30 gw 10YR6/3 10YR7/6 l m 1 sbk vfi – so po vf - m
Pedon 11 : Naopara soil series ( Fine, mixed, hyperthermic Aeric Endoaquepts)
Ap 0 – 10 gw 10YR5/2 - cl puddled fr – ss ps f-f
Bw1 10 – 38 gs 10YR4/2 7.5YR5/6 sic m 2 sbk fi – s p vf - m
Pedon 12 : Madhpur soil series ( Fine, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Epiaqualfs)
Ap 0 - 14 cs 2.5Y6/2 - cl puddled vfr – so po fi - m
B1 14 – 38 gs 5Y5/2 10YR6/6 cl m 2 abk fr – ss ps fi - m
Soils of the command area showed variation in subsurface soils, which might be due to huge dose
textural class especially in the surface horizons as of fertilizer application by the farmers. Similar
well as in the subsurface. Soils in surface and observation was also noticed by Bhatta et al.,
subsurface horizons of all the soil pedons were fine (2005) while working on ‘Budhabadhiani Irrigation
loamy to very fine and clay loam to clayey in Project’, Orissa. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of
texture. This might be attributed to difference in the surface soils were of low to medium status
physiography, flooding, in- situ weathering and (according to the range suggested by Ilaco, 1985)
translocation of clay. The soils under study had in and varied from 8.2 to 22.4 cmol (p+) kg-1.
general puddled structure at the surface, which Relatively low CEC values might be due to the
broke from course to moderate sub angular blocky dominance of clay minerals with low CEC (Sarkar
structure in the subsurface horizons, except in et al., 2002). Sum of the exchangeable bases (Ca2+,
Pedon 5, 8 and 12. Variation in grade, strength and Mg2+, Na+ and K+) varied from 4.5 to 27.4 cmol
shape of soil structure in surface horizon as (p+)kg-1. Calcium was the dominant cation
compared to subsurface horizon was the result of followed by magnesium, potassium and sodium.
mechanical breakdown caused by puddling and Base saturation of the surface soils varied from 56
subsequent drying of soils due to prolonged paddy to 78 percent and generally increased down the soil
cultivation (Dey and Sehgal, 1997). Consistency of profile with few exceptions.
soil changed with variation in clay content, as also
suggested by Thangasamy et al., (2005). The Fertility Capability Classification of the Study
presence of fine pores was a characteristic feature of Area:
the soils having high clay content, which is further The fertility capability classification (FCC)
supported by the particle size distribution of the system was primarily developed for interpreting soil
soils. taxonomy and additional soil attributes in a way that
is directly relevant to plant growth Sanchez et al.,
Physico-Chemical Properties: (2003). In this respect FCC of Damodar command
Physical properties of the soils are presented in area mainly aimed towards assessment of the
table 2. Particle size distribution of the soils potentials of soils for different crop cultivation. The
revealed that clay, silt and sand content varied from soil coding of 12 soil series identified in the study
14.0 to 57.1, 9.0 to 56.8 and 7.5 to 76.2 percent area is shown in table 4. The table facilitates
respectively. In general, sub surface horizons systematic placement of the soils into seven FCC
exhibited higher clay content as compared to the units, which clearly indicated that soil individuals in
surface horizons, which might be due to illuviation a single FCC unit do not necessarily belong to the
process occurring during soil development as also same taxonomic class. Khamrp, Totpara, Karjana,
suggested by Tripathi et al., (2006). The bulk Banpara, Kharjuli, Hargram, Kasipur, Naopara and
density of soils varied from 1.34 to 1.44 g cm-3 and Madhpur soil series were associated with loamy
increased with depth, which might be due to more type (L) while Hangram, Sonagachi and Bhensul
compaction of finer particles in deeper layers soil series showed clayey type (C). Khamrp,
caused by over-head weight of the surface soils as Totpara, Karjana, Banpara, Kharjuli, Hargram,
also suggested by Jewitt et al., (1979) and Ahuja et Kasipur and Naopara soil series were associated
al., (1988). Water holding capacity of the soils with anaerobic conditions (g modifier)
increased with increase in clay content, which representative of aquic soil moisture regime (table
corroborated the findings of Das et al., (2005) who 3); however, in Hangram, Sonagachi, Bhensul and
also worked with the soils of Damodar command Madhpur soil series prolonged waterlogging (> 200
area of Barddhaman, West Bengal. Soils were days) prevailed (g+ modifier) during wet season as
moderately acidic to slightly alkaline in reaction (as well as due to irrigation under wet season- winter
per the rating suggested by Sehgal, 1990), pH season paddy cropping sequence.
values ranging from 5.0 to 7.5. Surface soils
showed slightly lower pH values in comparison to
333 J. Recent. Adv. Agr., 2014, 2(12): 330-337
BERA ET AL.
Table 2: Physicochemical properties of the soils of the surface and subsurface horizons of identified soil series.
Soil Particle size Exchangeable bases Sum of
Bulk % Base
pedon Depth distribution (%) Max. pH CEC cations
Horizon Density Pore 2+ 2+ + + satur-ation
(cm) WHC (%) (H 2O) Ca Mg Na K
Sand Silt Clay (gcm-3) Space (%)
<------------------(cmol (P+) kg-1)------------>
Pedon 1 Ap 0 – 14 36.4 40.4 23.2 1.35 52.96 41.98 5.6 12.0 4.0 2.4 0.2 0.2 6.8 57
Bw1 14 – 42 29.5 36.3 34.2 1.39 51.41 45.59 6.7 15.9 6.0 4.6 0.4 0.2 11.2 70
Pedon 2 Ap 0 – 20 19.8 50.7 29.5 1.37 52.37 43.38 5.6 12.2 3.5 2.4 0.6 0.3 6.8 56
Bw1 20 – 60 18.1 47.8 34.1 1.39 50.97 45.94 6.0 14.2 7.0 4.0 0.7 0.4 12.1 85
Pedon 3 Ap 0 – 13 22.9 50.5 26.6 1.37 52.01 43.09 6.3 11.3 3.4 3.0 0.8 0.6 7.8 69
Bw1 13 – 33 18.2 53.1 28.7 1.37 51.61 44.14 7.5 16.1 4.1 5.3 1.5 0.7 11.6 72
Pedon 4 Ap 0 – 15 34.5 40.4 25.1 1.37 52.52 40.40 6.1 8.2 3.0 2.8 0.9 0.2 6.9 68
Bw1 15 – 32 27.2 42.8 30.0 1.39 51.05 45.40 6.7 16.0 8.0 4.0 1.0 0.4 13.4 84
Pedon 5 Ap 0 – 11 17.5 36.1 46.4 1.38 52.59 51.59 5.7 18.4 11.2 2.4 0.5 0.3 14.4 78
A3 11 – 25 17.4 34.2 48.4 1.39 52.01 52.56 6.4 21.6 13.6 3.9 0.7 0.4 18.6 86
Pedon 6 Ap 0 – 12 28.7 31.2 40.1 1.37 51.91 47.46 5.8 22.4 11.2 5.6 0.6 0.1 17.5 78
Bw1 12 – 35 26.1 30.3 43.6 1.39 51.16 49.55 6.2 24.6 13.0 7.2 0.7 0.2 20.1 86
Pedon 7 Ap 0 – 13 25.3 39.2 35.5 1.37 51.88 45.00 5.8 12.8 4.0 3.6 0.3 0.2 8.1 63
Bw1 13 – 42 15.4 42.5 42.1 1.39 50.87 48.39 6.5 15.8 6.0 4.8 0.2 0.3 11.3 72
Pedon 8 Ap 0 – 11 32.8 34.7 32.5 1.38 51.85 44.20 5.0 10.6 3.6 1.6 0.3 0.2 6.7 63
Bw1 11 – 30 22.7 42.7 34.6 1.39 52.11 45.67 6.5 14.7 6.0 3.6 0.7 0.3 10.6 72
Pedon 9 Ap 0 – 13 31.5 36.3 32.2 1.34 52.92 43.25 5.6 13.3 5.8 3.3 0.3 0.2 9.6 72
A12 13 – 33 34.6 32.8 32.6 1.39 51.63 43.45 6.2 14.2 6.7 3.5 0.3 0.2 10.7 75
Pedon 10 Ap 0 – 14 32.0 44.4 23.6 1.38 51.28 40.29 5.8 8.8 3.4 2.0 0.3 0.1 5.8 66
Bw1 14 – 30 29.7 42.7 27.6 1.40 50.99 41.91 6.3 11.2 4.4 3.0 0.3 0.2 7.9 71
Pedon 11 Ap 0 – 10 24.9 40.2 34.9 1.42 51.70 45.41 5.3 14.6 7.5 2.6 0.4 0.1 10.6 72
Bw1 10 – 38 19.1 39.1 41.8 1.43 50.80 47.15 6.5 17.9 11.5 3.9 0.5 0.1 16.0 89
Pedon 12 Ap 0 - 14 24.0 46.3 29.7 1.38 51.66 44.27 6.4 13.7 4.8 3.2 0.2 0.5 8.7 64
B1 14 – 38 27.7 38.6 33.7 1.41 50.64 45.22 6.9 15.0 6.4 4.0 0.7 0.1 11.2 75
Table 4: Fertility capability classification (FCC) of identified soil series of the study area.
Area (ha)
FCC Soil series Description
(% of TGA)
Khamrp, Totpara, Loamy topsoil having < 35% clay with aquic soil moisture
46215.51
Lg Karjana, Banpara, regime.
(38.19)
Hargram
Loamy topsoil having < 35% clay, aquic soil moisture
6729.83
Lgv Kharjuli, regime, but showing properties of vertic group viz. 5 cm or
(5.56)
more wide crack upto a thickness of 30 cm.
28124.47 Loamy topsoil having < 35% clay, with aquic soil moisture
Lgk Kasipur, Naopara
(23.24) regime and exchangeable- K < 0.20 cmolc kg-1 soil.
Loamy topsoil having < 35% clay, prolonged waterlogging
(>200 days/year) - soil saturated with water during wet
5825.09
Lg+i+ Madhpur season as well as irrigation under wet season- winter
(4.81)
season paddy cropping sequence, along with potential of
Fe- toxicity.
Clayey topsoil having > 35% clay, prolonged waterlogging
(>200 days/year) - soil saturated with water during wet
10094.75
Cg+i+ Bhensul season as well as irrigation under wet season- winter
(8.34)
season paddy cropping sequence, along with potential of
Fe- toxicity.
Clayey topsoil having > 35% clay, prolonged waterlogging
(>200 days/year) - soil saturated with water during wet
+ + 4335.94
Cg ki Sonagachi season as well as irrigation under wet season- winter
(3.58)
season paddy cropping sequence, along with potential of
Fe- toxicity and exchangeable- K < 0.20 cmolc kg-1 soil.
+ +
Cg bvi Hangram 15789.32 Clayey topsoil having > 35% clay, prolonged waterlogging
335 J. Recent. Adv. Agr., 2014, 2(12): 330-337
BERA ET AL.
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