Land Suitability Classification

Orders, Classes, Sub-classes and Units

1. Land Suitability Classification

Presented By:

Dr. R.K. Thakur
Assistant Professor (Soil Science)
College of Agriculture, Balaghat

Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya Jabalpur (M.P.)

2. Introduction :-

= The terms suitability and capability have often been
confused or even regarded as synonymous.

= There is a distinction between suitability for a single
clearly defined, reasonably homogenous purpose is
practices, and capability for a broader use such as
agriculture development.

= Thus, suitability assessment has a sharp focus, looking
for sites possessing the positive features associated with
successful production or use.

= Suitability is largely a matter of producing high yields
with relatively low inputs.

3. Land Suitability Classification (LSC) :-

=" According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization—FAO (1976) Land suitability is the fitness of a
given area for a land utilization type (or land use), or the
degree to which it satisfies the land user.

" Itis generally presented as a class or rating.

« Internationally recognized suitability classes outlined by FAO
can be adapted and applied at both regional and local scale.

" Thus, land suitability classification system has four different
categories :

1. Orders
2. Classes
3. Subclasses
4.

Units

4. Basic Principles of Land Suitability :-

= Itis assessed for specified kinds of use.

= Evaluation requires a comparison of benefit obtained with
inputs needed.

= Suitability is for use on a sustained basis, i.e. the use must
not bring about severe or progressive degradation.

= Land suitability orders, which reflect kinds of suitability.

= Land suitability classes, which reflect degrees of suitability
within orders.

= Land suitability sub-classes, which reflect kinds of
limitation or the main kinds of improvements required
within classes.

= Land suitability units, which reflect minor differences
within sub-classes in the required management.

5. Land Suitability Orders :-

1.

“S” - Suitable land : Land on which sustained use for the
defined purpose in the defined manner is expected to
yield benefits that will justify required recurrent
inputs without unacceptable risk to land resources.

“N” - Unsuitable land : Land having characteristics
which appear to preclude its sustained use for the
defined purpose in the defined manner or which would
create production, upkeep and/or conservation
problems requiring a level of recurrent inputs
unacceptable at the time of interpretation.

6. Land Suitability Classes :-

" The class will be indicated by an Arabic number in
sequence of decreasing suitability within the order and
therefore reflects degrees of suitability within the
orders.

« It has been recommended to use only three classes
within order “S” and two classes within order “N”.

7. Land Suitability Classes :-

Suitability Classes

Description

S, : Highly suitable

Land having no significant limitations to
sustained application for a given land use!
or only minor limitations.

S, : Moderately suitable

Land having limitations which in aggregate
are moderately severe for sustained
application of a given land use.

S, : Marginally suitable

Land having limitations which in aggregate
are severe for sustained application of al
given use.

N, : Currently unsuitable

Limitations are so severe as to preclude
successful sustained use of the land in the
given manner.

N, : Permanently unsuitable

Land having limitations, which appear so
severe as to, preclude any possibilities of|
successful sustained use of the land in the
given manner.

8. Land Suitability Sub-Classes :-

" The sub classes reflect kinds of limitations or main
kinds of improvement measures required within
classes.

" They are indicated in the symbol using lower case
letters :

ME so

“a

Climatic conditions

Topographic limitations

Wetness limitations

Salinity(and/or alkalinity) limitations
Soil fertility limitations

Physical soil limitations

9. Land Suitability Unit :-

" Land suitability units are used at the farm planning
level, since differ from each other on ‘production
characteristics’ or in minor aspects of their management
requirements.

= Land suitability units can be created in the numbers
deemed necessary.

" This can indicate the relative importance of land
development works.

" It is indicated by Arabic numerals, enclosed in
parenthesis, following the subclass symbol.

10. Thanks