Evaluation of cotton growing soils of Maharashtra

The main product of land evaluation investigations is a land classification that indicates the suitability of various kinds of land for specific land uses, usually depicted on maps with accompanying reports

1. Wel Come

2. Vasantrao Naik Marathawada Agricultural University, Parbhani . Department of SSAC, College of Agriculture, Latur . Seminar On Evaluation of cotton growing soils of Maharashtra. Presented By Mr. Mangesh Keshav Ghode Reg. No. 2014 A / 38 ML Seminar Incharge Dr . P. H. Vaidya Asso . Prof . Department of SSAC, College of Agriculture, Latur .

3. Introduction Land evaluation provides information and recommendations for deciding 'Which crops to grow where' and related questions. Land evaluation is the selection of suitable land, and suitable cropping, irrigation and management alternatives that are physically and financially practicable and economically viable. The main product of land evaluation investigations is a land classification that indicates the suitability of various kinds of land for specific land uses, usually depicted on maps with accompanying reports. Some fields are suitable for cultivated crops, others may only be suitable for forestry or recreation.

4. A assesment of suitability of land for specified uses the assesment is made in turn of production, suitability input need to obtain that production called land evaluation ( Sehgal J. ) What do you mean by land evaluation ?

5. Significance of land evaluation 1 . Motivate the study of land evaluation, place it in the context of land use planning, natural resources systems analysis, and applied research . 2. Present a detailed framework or methodology for performing physical and economic land evaluations. 3. Present the theoretical basis and practical considerations underlying the application of the methodology. 4. Present diverse analytical approaches which can be used to carry out phases of the land evaluation procedure, including expert judgment, statistical methods, dynamic simulation of the soil-plant-atmosphere system,spatial analysis with geographic information systems, and optimization under constraints.

6. 1) Qualitative land evaluation I ) Land capability classes : It is system of classification land according its capacity for particular land use. There are 8 classes Class I - very good for cultivation Class II - Good for cultivation Class III - Moderately good for cultivation Class IV- Fairly good cultivation Class V- Land not suitable for farming and suitable for grazing Class Vi - Well suitable for grazing Class VII - Fairly well suitable Class VIII - Not suitable for grazing

7. S1 Class S1 (Highly suitable) Land unit with nil. or up to 5 slight limitation S2 Class S2 (Moderately suitable) Land units with more than 5 slight limitation and / or no more than two severe limitation S3 Class S3 (Marginally suitable Land unit with more than 4 moderate limitation or/ and no more than two sever l imitations. N1 N1 (Currently not suitable) Land unit with more than 2 severe limitation that can be corrected. N2 N2 (Unsuitable) Land units having very severe limitation that cannot be corrected I ) Soil Site Suitability rating

8. II) Land Suitability class : FAO ( 1983) : In addition , the suitability classes was also derived based on the actual yield as suggested by FAO ( 1983) This was based on the yield levels for the suitability classes as S1 > 80 %, S2 40 to 80 %, S3 20 to 40% and N< 20% . The yield reduction levels have been decided on the optimum yield of the crop. The optimum yield was calculated with the help at data collected from 9 farmer fields with similar management practices and the average of 3 to 6 commercial varieties grown in the soils.

9. Why soil evaluation is necessory ? Land evaluation is method of assessing the potential of land for alternative uses. Proper identification of soil potential has been key issues in planning and development in agriculture. Soil is a medium for plant growth and development that leads to crop productivity. Soil fertility is direct relation with the crop yields, provided other factors are in optimum level. The performance of any crop, is largely depend on soil parameters such as depth, texture, drainage, etc. Land possesses a definite set of capabilities and suitability’s for growing of different crops and each crops species requires definite soil and climatic condition for optimum growth.

10. The suitability of soils and economic viability are the two important aspects, which can guide the farmers in proper site selection and management of cotton, to bring down the cost of production. Cotton , ( Gossypium spp.) Is the most important fiber and cash crop not only of India but also of the entire world, grown widely in the tropical and sub- tropical areas . India is the second largest producer of cotton in the world . In India, there are nine major cotton growing states which fall under three zones viz. The north zone (Punjab, Haryana And Rajasthan), the central zones ( Maharashtra , Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat) and the southern zones(A.P., Karnataka and T.N .). Cotton is a kharif crop which needs a soil with good water holding capacity and aeration and good drainage as it cannot withstand excess and waterlogging. The major group of soil for cotton are the alluvial soils, black soils and red sand loam. These soils characterized by dark grey to black colour . These soils is also known as regur and black cotton soil as cotton is the main crop growing on these soils. Black soils are mainly formed from the Deccan basalt trap rocks. But, cotton cultivation is closely related to deep black soils (regur ). This soil belonging to the Vertisols order and Vertisols are chemically rich and capable of sustaining continuous cropping but deficient in micronutrients.

11. OBJECTIVE : To know the morphological, physical and chemical characteristics of cotton growing soils of Maharashtra. To know the classification of cotton growing soils of Maharashtra. To evaluate the soil site suitability of cotton growing soils of Maharashtra for land use planning.

12. Morphological Characteristics of Cotton Growing Soils of Maharashtra

13. Table No 1. Morphological characteristics of representative pedon of Wardha district . Horizons Depth (cm) Boundary Matrix colour Texture Structure Consistency Pores Roots Effervescence Pedon-1 Selsura : Fine, smectitic ,( cal ), hyperthermic,Typic Haplustepts Ap 0-17 cs 10YR 3/2 c m2 sbk h, fi, sp f, m f, m -- Bw 17-38 cs 10YR 3/2 c m2 sbk vh , vfi , vsvp f, f f, f -- Pedon-2 Selsura:farmer field: Fine, smectitic ,(Cal), hyperthemic , Typic Haplusterts Ap 0-18 cs 10YR 3/2 c m1 sbk h, fi, sp f m , f, c es Bw 18-41 cs 10YR 3/1 c m2sbk vh , vf , vs vp f, m vf , f es Bss1 41-71 cs 10YR 3/1 c m3 abk vh , vf , vsvp f, c es Bss2 71-110 a i 2.5YR 3/1 c m3 abk vh ,--, vs , vp f c ev Bss3 110-135 - 2.5YR 3/1 c - h - vsvp f f - ev Wardha district Agarkar et al. , 2005

14. Table No 2 . Morphological characteristics of representative pedon of Marathwada region Horizons Depth (cm) Boundary Matrix colour Structure Consistency Effervescence Pedon-1, Chandaj ( Parbhani ) (VERTISOLS) Ap 0-13 cs 10YR 3/2 m2sbk Sh , fr sp e- es Bw1 13-28 gs 10YR 3/2.5 m2 sbk sh , fr , sp e Bw2 28-45 gs 10YR3/2.5 m2sbk fr , sp e Bss1 45-75 g s 10YR 3/3 m2sbk-abk fr , sp e Bss2 75-108 a s 10YR 3/3 m2abk fr , sp e Pedon-2Khasgaon( Osmanabad ) (VERTISOLS) Ap 0-14 cs 10YR 3/1.5 m2 abk fr,sp es Bw1 14-30 cs 10YR 3/2 m2sbk fr,sp es Bw2 30-53 cs 10YR 3/2 m2sbk fr,sp es Bss1 53-77 10YR 3/2 m2sbk fr,sp es Bss2 77-102 10YR3/3 fr,sp es-ev Marathwada region Zade and Pal,2007

15. Table No 3 . Morphological characteristics of representative pedon of Tungi watershed in Latur Horizons Depth (cm) Boundary Matrix colour Texture Structure Consistency Pores Roots Effervescence Haregaon-Vertisols Ap 0-18 cs 10YR 3/1 sic m1 sbk Sh , vsvp sh Vf , cf , e Bw1 18-42 cs 10YR 2.5/1 sic m2 sbk h , vsvp vf , mff vf , mf, cf e Bss1 42-66 CS 10YR2.5/1 sic m3abk h, vsvp Vf,mff Fm. cf e Bss2 66-90 cs 10YR 2.5/1 sic m3abk h, vsvp Vf,mff Fm , cf e Bss3 90-150 cs 10YR 2.5/1 sic - h, vsvp Vf,mff fm , cf e Masalga-Inceptisols Ap 0-18 cs 10YR 3/3 sic m1 abk sh,vs , vp , Vfm , fm Vf , mf, cf ev Bw1 18-39 cs 10YR 3/2 sic m2sbk h - vsvp Vfm , fm Vf , mf, cf ev Ac 39-50 cs 10YR4/5 Si,c,l m1gr S, nsnp cm cf ev M 50-75 10YR5/4 s gr S, nsnp cm cf ev Bhorpal-Entisols A 0-21 cs 10YR3/2 C m1sbk S,fr,ss,sp Vff,mf,m Vfm , fm ev Tungi watershed,Latur Sayambar and Vaidya , 2014

16. Table No 4 . Morphological characteristics of representative pedon of micro watershed in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra Horizons Depth (cm) Boundary Matrix colour Texture Structure Consistency Roots Effervescence ( Vertisols ) Belura watershed, Dist. Akola Ap1 0-18 cs 10YR 3/2 c m2 sbk Sh,fr,sp f,c e Ap2 18-33 cs 10YR 3/2 c m2 sbk h , fi, sp f,c e AB 33-55 gs 10YR 3/2 c m2sbk h,fi,sp f,c e Bss1 55-80 gw 10YR 3/2 c m2abk h, fi,vsvp Vf , f e Bss2 80-130 10YR 3/1 c m2abk h, , vsvp Vf , f ev ( Inceptisols ) Belura watershed, Dist. Akola Ap 0-20 cs 10YR 3/3 c m2abk Sh,fr , sssp f, f ev Bw 20-34 cs 10YR 3/2 c m2sbk Sh,fr , sssp Vf,mf,cf es ( Entisols ) Belura watershed, Dist. Akola Ap 0-15 cs 10YR3/2 scl m1sbk Sh,fr,ss,sp f, f ev Belura watershed,Akola Gabhane et al .,2006

17. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF COTTON GROWING SOILS OF MAHARASHTRA

18. Table No 5. Physical characteristics of representative pedon of watershed in Vidarbha region Horizons Depth (cm) Particle size analysis (%) Moisture retention (%) AWC (%) Sand Silt Clay 33 kPa 1500 kPa Kondhali : Fine, smectitic , hyperthermic (cal.) Typic Haplusterts Ap 0-16 8.1 34.6 57.3 39.8 25.7 14.1 Bw 16-56 6.1 33.1 60.8 45.7 29.0 16.7 Bss1 56-90 8.2 34.0 57.8 42.9 26.2 16.7 Bss2 90-121 13.5 35.9 50.63 42.2 25.3 16.9 Bss3 121-150 14.0 38.0 48.0 38.8 24.0 14.8 Taroda : Fine, smectitic , hyperthermic (cal.) Typic Haplustepts Ap 0-12 18.2 30.2 51.6 38.1 20.6 17.5 Bw 12-31 15.2 30.2 54.6 35.2 20.8 14.4 Jamgarh : Clayey, smectitic , hyperthermic Typic Ustorthent A 0-13 39.0 27.0 34.0 26.7 19.1 7.6 Ac 13-24 31.1 19.7 49.2 34.9 26.1 8.8 Watershed , Vidarbha region Bante et al.

19. Table No 6. Physical characteristics of representative pedon of Saraswati watershed, Buldhana district Horizons Depth (cm) BD (Mg m -3 ) Particle size analysis (%) Moisture retention (%) AWC (%) Sand Silt Clay 33 kPa 1500 kPa Wadgaon : Very fine,smectitic , hyperthermic (calcareous) Typic Haplusterts (VERTISOLS) Ap1 0-21 1.74 1.2 27.7 71.1 42.1 29.3 12.9 Ap2 21-50 1.83 1.5 30.9 67.6 42.7 29.9 12.8 AB 50-84 2.01 1.4 25.1 73.5 43.5 29.5 14.0 Bss1 84-120 1.80 1.5 25.4 73.1 43.0 29.0 14.0 Bss2 120-150 1.88 2.6 23.9 73.3 43.3 28.8 14.5 Lonar:Clayey , smectitic , hyperthermic Vertic Haplustepts (INCEPTISOLS) AP 0 -16 1.70 0.2 36.53 63.27 37.9 28.4 9.5 BW1 16-35 1.82 0.39 40.98 58.63 42.1 29.9 12.2 Saraswati:Loamy , mixed,hyperthermic (calcareous) Lithic Ustorthents (ENTISOLS) AP 0-20 1.45 6.08 51.00 42.92 19.2 11.4 7.8 Buldhana district Nagaraju et al. 2013

20. Table No 7. Physical characteristics of representative pedon of tandulwani watershed in Nagpur district Horizons Depth (cm) BD (Mg m -3 ) Particle size analysis (%) Moisture retention (%) AWC (%) Sand Silt Clay 33 kPa 1500 kPa Tw-7: Very fine,smectitic (cal.) hyperthermic Typic Haplusterts (VERTISOLS) Ap 0-12 1.6 7.1 29.9 62.9 5.2 33.2 17.0 Bw1 12-30 1.7 5.9 28.8 65.3 47.6 33.4 14.2 Bw2 30-53 1.6 5.5 23.7 70.8 51.9 36.3 15.6 Bssk 53-80 1.5 9.3 22.8 67.8 49.4 35.6 13.8 Bck1 80-100 1.6 22.4 27.9 49.6 42.5 29.6 12.9 Tw-6:Fine,smectitic(cal.) hyperthermic Vertic Haplustepts (INCEPTISOLS) Ap 0-11 1.6 7.3 31.8 60.9 48.9 34.6 14.3 Bw 11-29 1.7 8.5 35.3 56.2 48.4 35.1 13.3 Bv 29-50 1.7 16.3 22.8 60.9 50.3 34.2 16.1 Bk 50-100 1.6 15.6 24.1 60.3 46.9 33.5 13.4 Tw-5:Loamy,smectitic,hyprthermic, Lithic Ustorthent (ENTISOLS) Ap 0-9 1.45 46.8 30.7 22.6 1.4 26.4 10.8 Tandulwani watershed, Nagpur district Nagaraju et al.2015

21. Table No 8. Physical characteristics of representative pedon of Marathwada region Horizons Depth (cm) BD (Mg m -3 ) Particle size analysis (%) Sand Silt Clay Pedon-1, Chandaj ( Parbhani ) Ap 0-13 1.3 1.5 34.6 63.9 Bw1 13-28 1.3 1.5 30.0 68.6 Bw2 28-45 1.4 1.1 29.4 69.6 Bss1 45-75 1.3 0.9 29.6 69.6 Bss2 75-108 1.3 0.8 29.1 70.1 Pedon-2Khasgaon( Osmanabad ) Ap 0-14 1.3 6.8 34.5 58.7 Bw1 14-30 1.3 7.5 34.5 58.0 Bw2 30-53 1.3 6.7 31.3 62.0 Bss1 53-77 1.3 6.4 30.8 62.8 Bss2 77-102 1.3 5.8 34.1 60.1 Marathwada region Zade and Pal , 2005

22. Table No 9. Physical characteristics of representative pedon of Tungi watershed Latur district Horizons Depth (cm) BD (Mg m -3 ) Particle size analysis (%) Moisture retention (%) AWC (%) Sand Silt Clay 33 kPa 1500 kPa Haregaon-Vertisols Ap 0-18 1.70 8.70 29.30 62.00 36.7 19.6 17.1 Bw1 18-42 1.73 8.60 26.62 64.78 43.1 28.4 14.7 Bss1 42-66 1.77 9.03 44.05 64.98 43.9 22.7 21.2 Bss2 66-90 1.80 8.90 22.80 68.30 45.7 28.3 17.4 Bss3 90-150 1.70 7.50 21.50 71.00 46.7 23.4 23.3 Masalga-Inceptisols Ap 0-18 1.45 4.14 48.96 46.90 46.2 25.2 21.0 Bw1 18-39 1.49 4.05 48.91 47.04 47.7 20.8 22.3 Ac 39-50 1.55 38.60 22.90 38.50 20.6 15.3 11.5 M 50-75 1.40 48.75 13.25 38.00 20.6 9.2 11.4 Bhorpal-Entisols A 0-21 1.60 20.96 48.87 30.17 24.6 11.9 12.7 Ac 21-40 1.30 31.33 45.78 22.89 18.4 10.3 8.1 Buldhana district Nagaraju et al.

23. Chemical properties of cotton growing soils of Maharashtra

24. Table No 10 . Chemical characteristics of Representative pedon of Taroda watershed in Vidarbha region Horizons Depth (cm) pH EC (dSm -1 ) OC (%) CaCO 3 (%) CEC ( cmol (P + )kg -1 ) Base saturation (%) Kondhali - – fine, smectitic , hyperthermic (calcareous) typic haplusterts . AP 0-16 7.9 0.18 0.48 3.5 60.5 95.0 BW 16-56 7.9 0.15 1.34 6.7 60.4 100.7 Bss1 56-90 8.1 0.14 0.26 12.1 60.7 91.5 Bss2 90-121 8.2 0.15 0.26 12.5 59.8 92.6 Bss3 121-150 8.3 0.16 0.30 9.3 59.7 93.6 Taroda series : fine, smectitic , hyperthermic ( calcareous) typic Haplustepts AP 0-12 8.0 0.24 0.50 5.2 60.4 98.7 BW 12-31 8.2 0.16 0.43 10.1 60.5 108.6 Jamgarh ; sereies Clayey,smectite,hyperthermic typic ustorthents A 0-13 6.7 0.16 0.55 -- 44.2 85.2 AC 13-24 6.9 0.11 0.45 -- 42.8 96.1 Bante et al. 2012 Taroda watershed, Vidarbha region

25. Table No 11 . Chemical characteristics of representative pedon of M arathwada region of Maharashtra Horizons Depth (cm) pH EC (dSm -1 ) OC (%) CaCO 3 (%) CEC (cmol(P + )kg -1 ) Vaijapur P1 AP 0-15 7.8 0.739 5.26 7.8 56.1 A 15-28 7.8 0.780 2.80 13.5 53.2 Aurangabad P9 AP 0-13 8.1 0.255 5.46 4.5 51.8 A 13-25 8.1 0.289 3.70 3.8 55.6 BW 25-45 8.2 0.370 2.34 9.2 49.3 Hadgaon P15 AP 0-15 8.4 0.635 6.24 7.5 45.5 A 15-40 8.7 0.4440 5.07 14.1 47.3 BW 40-65 8.4 0.591 3.51 7.8 66.2 Bssk 65-105 8.5 0.600 1.95 18.9 38.2 Malode and Patil,2014 Marathwada region

26. Table No 12 . Chemical characteristics of representative pedon of Saraswati watershed in Buldhana district. Horizons Depth (cm) pH EC (dSm -1 ) OC (%) CaCO 3 (%) CEC ( cmol (P + )kg -1 ) Cations ( cmol (P + )kg -1 ) Base saturation (%) Ca ++ Mg ++ Na + K + Sum of Cations ( cmol (P + )kg -1 ) Chandaj (parbhani) AP 0-13 8.2 0.14 0.9 6.7 61.8 52.3 10.9 0.5 1.9 65.6 106.1 BW1 13-28 8.3 0.09 0.8 6.3 59.1 55.9 9.7 0.3 1.3 67.3 113.9 BW2 28-45 8.3 0.10 0.8 6.5 57.5 54.9 10.6 0.3 1.1 67.0 116.6 Bss1 45-75 8.2 0.11 0.8 6.8 50.6 54.2 12.1 0.3 1.0 67.7 133.7 Bss2 75-108 8.3 0.13 0.7 6.7 56.8 51.9 14.1 0.4 1.2 67.6 119.1 Taroda series : fine, smectitic , hyperthermic ( calcareous) typic Haplustepts AP 0-14 8.4 0.14 1.0 8.6 64.5 37.8 18.9 1.9 0.6 59.2 90.6 BW1 14-30 8.4 0.15 0.9 9.8 70.8 37.7 20.8 2.8 0.7 62.1 87.7 BW2 30-53 8.3 0.24 0.8 10.1 64.7 42.0 15.8 3.6 0.4 62.0 95.9 Bss1 53-77 8.2 0.40 0.8 9.9 64.7 40.8 13.9 4.3 0.6 59.6 92.3 Bss2 77-102 8.6 0.40 0.7 11.4 59.3 37.8 16.4 4.5 0.5 59.2 99.8 Bss3 102-150 8.9 0.36 0.7 15.5 56.7 31.1 20.3 3.3 0.9 55.6 98.0 Nagaraju et al. 2013 Buldhana district

27. Table No 3 . Chemical characteristics of representative pedon of Tungi watershed in Latur . Horizons Depth (cm) pH EC (dSm -1 ) OC (%) CaCO 3 (%) CEC ( cmol (P + )kg -1 ) Cations ( cmol (P + )kg -1 ) Base saturation (%) Ca ++ Mg ++ Na + K + Sum of Cations ( cmol (P + )kg -1 ) Haregaon-Vertisols Ap 0-18 8.37 0.17 0.78 8.8 59.52 43.2 11.2 1.92 0.98 57.30 96.27 Bw1 18-42 8.50 0.12 0.46 11.4 63.52 37.6 18.0 3.24 0.73 59.57 93.78 Bss1 42-66 8.30 0.21 0.54 9.8 59.52 36.0 18.4 2.44 0.73 57.57 96.72 Bss2 66-90 7.00 0.19 0.31 6.7 62.74 35.0 20.8 2.97 0.70 59.47 94.78 Bss3 90-150 7.00 0.22 0.29 6.6 61.71 34.7 21.3 3.00 0.63 59.63 95.76 Masalga-Inceptisols Ap 0-18 7.90 0.16 0.12 9.3 50.20 44.8 9.6 2.05 0.49 56.94 113.42 Bw1 18-39 7.90 0.13 0.45 8.3 47.30 41.6 6.8 2.17 0.34 44.79 94.69 Ac 39-50 8.16 0.19 0.39 13.7 36.62 24.8 6.4 1.56 0.24 33.00 90.11 M 50-75 8.00 0.13 0.28 14.5 36.70 22.4 9.2 1.26 0.31 33.17 90.38 Bhorpal-Entisols Ap 0-21 8.07 0.18 0.42 19.6 33.51 18.0 8.8 2.19 1.09 30.08 89.79 Tungi watershed, Latur Sayambar and Vaidya,2014

28. CLASSIFICATION OF COTTON GROWING SOILS OF MAHARASHTRA

29. Classification of representative pedons of Wardha district Pedon Order Sub order Great group Sub group Family Pedon-1 Selsura : Fine, smectitic ,( cal ), hyperthermic,Typic Haplustepts P1 Inceptisols Ustepts Haplustepts Typic Haplustepts Clayey, smectitic , hyperthemic Pedon-2 Selsura:farmer field: Fine, smectitic ,(Cal), hyperthemic , Typic Haplusterts P2 Vertisols Usterts Haplusterts Typic Haplusterts Fine,smectitic , hyperthemic Wardha Agarkar et al.2005

30. Soil classification of representative pedon of Saraswati watershed in Buldhana district. Pedon Order Sub order Great group Sub group Family Saraswati:Loamy , mixed,hyperthermic (calcareous) Lithic Ustorthents (ENTISOLS) P1 Entisols Ustorthent Typic Ustorthent Fine, Typic Ustorthent Taroda : Fine, smectitic , hyperthermic (cal.) Typic Haplustepts P2 Inceptisols Ustepts Haplustepts Typic Haplustepts Very fine,Typic Haplustepts Kondhali : Fine, smectitic , hyperthermic (cal.) Typic Haplusterts P3 Vertisols Usterts Haplusterts Typic Haplustepts Very fine, typic Haplusterts Buldhana Nagaraju et al .,2013

31. SOIL SITE SUITABILITY FOR COTTON IN MAHARASHTRA

32. Table No 4. Degree and kind of major constraints, suitability and yield of Cotton of Tandulwani , Nagpur district Pedon   Contents LGP Slope Depth Coarse Fragment Texture HC (Drainage) PAWC CaCO 3 ESP EC dSm -1 pH Suitability Class Pedon 1 _ * **** ** ** -- -- _ _ -- S3 Pedon 2 _ _ ** * ** * * _ _ -- S2 Pedon 3 _ -- -- * ** * *** _ _ -- N1 Limitation-No ; * Slight;/**Moderate; ***Severe; **** Very severe Optimum Yield: 25 qha -1 Tandulwani watershed, Nagpur Deshmukh et al .,2012 .

33. Soil site characteristics representative pedon of Hingna tahsil , Nagpur district Pedon Profile Slope(%) Erosion Runoff Drainage Surface stoniness(%) Mohgaon-1 Entisols 1-3 Moderate Medium Well 3-15 Mohgaon-2 Entisols 3-8 Moderate Medium Some what excessive 15-40 Mohgaon-3 Entisols 30-50 Very sevsre Very rapid Excessive 15-40 Mohgaon-4 Entisols 30-50 Severe Rapid Excessive 15-40 Mohgaon-5 Entisols 1-3 Moderate Medium Well 15-40 Mohgaon-6 Entisols 8-15 Severe Rapid Some what excessive 40-75 Mohgaon-7 Incetisols 1-3 Moderate Medium Mod. well <3 Mohgaon-8 Vertisols 1-3 Moderate Medium Mod. well <3 Mohgaon-9 Incetisols 0-1 Slight Medium Mod. well 3-15 Mohgaon-10 Incetisols 1-3 Slight Medium Mod. well 3-15 Mohgaon , Hingani tahsil Reddy et al.2004

34. Soil site suitability of representative pedon of Hingna Tahsil, Nagpur district Pedon Suitability for cotton(Sys et al. ,1993) Entisols (Mohgaon-3) Not suitable Inceptisols (Mohgaon-9) Moderately suitable Vertisols (Mohgaon-8) Highly suitable

35. Soil site suitability for cotton of Belura watershed in Nagpur district Pedon Taxonomy Major limitations Suitability for cotton(NBSS& LUP(1984)&Sys(1985) P1 Very fine, Typic Haplusterts Erosion S2 P2 Fine, Typic Ustorthents Shallow depth, erosion N1 P3 Very fine, Typic Haplustepts Shallow depth, erosion S3 P4 Very fine, Vertic Haplustepts Erosion S2 P5 Fine, Typic Ustorthents Shallow depth, erosion N1 P6 Fine, Typic Ustorthents Shallow depth, erosion N1 P7 Very fine, Vertic Haplustepts Erosion S2 P8 Very fine, Typic Haplusterts Erosion S2 P9 Very fine, Vertic Haplustepts Erosion S2 P10 Very fine, Typic Haplustepts Shallow depth, erosion S3 P11 Very fine, Typic Haplustepts Shallow depth, erosion S3 P12 Very fine, Vertic Haplustepts S2 P13 Fine, Typic Ustorthents Shallow depth, erosion N1 P14 Fine, Typic Ustorthents Shallow depth, erosion N1 Belura watershed, Akola Gabhane et al.,2006

36. Soil site suitability for cotton of representative pedon of Tandulwani watershed in Nagpur Pedon Suitability class (Acc. Sys et al. , 1993) Limitation ENTISOLS Not suitable Soil depth INCEPTISOLS Moderately to marginally suitable Soil texture and depth VERTISOLS Moderately to marginally suitable CaCO 3 Nagpur Deshmukh et al. ,2012

37. Soil Site suitability for cotton of representative pedon of Taroda watershed in Vidarbha region Pedon Suitability for cotton(Sys et al. ,1993) Degree of Limitation Entisols ( Jamgarh ) Not suitable Depth, slope and erosion Inceptisols ( Taroda ) Marginally suitable Depth and coarse Fragment Vertisols ( Kondhali ) Highly suitable --------- Taroda watershed, Vidarbha region Bante et al.,2012

38. CONCLUSIONS: The cotton growing soils of Maharshtara soils were medium to very deep, dark greyish brown (10YR2.5/1) to very dark brown (10YR 5/6) in colour , surface was weak and sub-surface was sub-angular to angular blocky in structure . Soils were clay in texture (37.8 to 73.5 %). The bulk density of these soils varies from 1.27 to 1.78 Mg m -3 , PAWC varies from 57.60 to 377.48 mm and saturated hydraulic conductivity varies from 4.12 to 19.4 cm hr -1 . The soils are moderately to strongly alkaline in nature (7.25 to 8.53) the electrical conductivity less than 1dSm -1 . Low to moderate in organic carbon (0.24 to 0.76) whereas low to high calcium carbonate content (0.5 to 14.5 %) and high in cation exchange capacity (26.24 to 70.8cmol (P + ) kg -1 ). The calcium was the dominant cation fallowed by magnesium, sodium and potassium. The base saturation percent is >90 percent.

39. 4.Taxonomically these soils are classified as Typic Ustorthents , Typic Haplustepts and Typic Haplusterts . 5.The yield of Cotton varied from 8.0 to 13. Kg ha -1 . The maximum yield of cotton (8.5 to 14.5 Kgha -1 ) was recorded at Typic Haplusterts followed by Typic Haplustepts and Typic Ustorthents . 6.The major limitation of Cotton growing soils of Maharashtra are Slope, Erosion, Clay content , Soil Depth,CaCO3, etc . 7.The soil site suitability as per Sys et.al (1993) and FAO (1983) indicated that the Typic Haplusterts soils are highly suitable (S1) for Cotton whereas Typic Haplustepts soils are moderately suitable (S2) and Typic Ustorthent soils are Marginal suitable (S3) to Currently not Suitable for Cotton.

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