Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
1College of Agriculture Nagpur, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola 444104
2
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210, Bihar, India
3
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, 444104.
4
Soil and water department, faculty of Agriculture, Sohag University, Egypt
Abstract
This study presents an integrated assessment of soil properties, land capability, productivity, and crop suitability in the Deccan Plateau of central India. The research area, covering 20.10°–21.22° N and 78.61°–78.69° E, features a diverse landscape dominated by Vertisols, Inceptisols, and Entisols, with land uses ranging from rainfed and irrigated agriculture to fallow and degraded forest lands. Comprehensive field surveys and laboratory analyses were conducted on geo-referenced soil profiles, characterizing key physical and chemical properties. Soils were classified according to USDA Soil Taxonomy, revealing significant spatial variability and highlighting major constraints including low organic carbon content, variable drainage, and high clay percentages in Vertisols. Land capability was evaluated using the Storie Index method, which identified that only 18% of the area falls under Class II (good capability), while 52% is classified as Class III (moderate limitations) and 30% as Class IV (severe limitations), primarily due to physical constraints and nutrient deficiencies. Actual and potential land productivity, assessed via the FAO frameworks, showed that current productivity indices are suboptimal for major crops, with mean productivity scores of 42–56%, but could be improved by 15–25% through targeted management interventions such as organic amendments and drainage improvements. Crop suitability analysis, based on the parametric approach demonstrated that Vertisols are moderately suitable (S2), while Entisols and Inceptisols are marginally suitable (S3), mainly constrained by low water retention and nutrient status. The integrated evaluation underscores the critical role of soil management in enhancing land productivity and sustainability. Key recommendations include the adoption of organic matter enrichment, balanced fertilization, and improved water management to mitigate identified limitations. The study’s multi-criteria approach provides a robust basis for evidence-based land use planning and policy formulation in semi-arid tropical regions. These findings have direct implications for sustainable agricultural intensification in central India, supporting food security and resilience in the face of climatic and socio-economic challenges.
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