This book “Problematic Soils and Their Management” comprises of ten chapters covering different topics on problematic soils as recommended by 5th dean’s committee of ICAR incorporating presentation of suitable illustration from Indian data. The interpretation of subject matter in each chapter of this book has been made carefully and systematically giving due emphasis on the requirements at the universities/college levels agricultural education in India. All possible efforts have been made to make the book comprehensive one to meet the growing needs of UG and PG students of all state agricultural universities or agricultural colleges in India. The book would be of paramount importance for the graduate and post-graduate students and to those students appearing for various competitive examinations like Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Eligibility Test (NET) and other competitive examinations, interview and viva-voice. The book will be serve as useful reference to students, teachers, researchers scientists, policy-makers and other interested in soil science, agronomy, crop science, environmental sciences and agriculture. The book has been written in a simple language and understandable manner. The contents of the book include 10 chapters. All chapters should be thoroughly viewed as a concise collection of various topics from different books, journals, bulletins, research articles and research papers, etc. Figures and tables have also been provided, wherever necessary. It is hoped that this textbook will help to improve the knowledge of students regarding problematic soils and their management. All suggestions and criticisms for further improvement of this book will be thankfully acknowledged.
Dr. Shivanna M., Professor and University Head, Department of Natural Resource Management University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka and Professor and Head Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Bangalore, University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka. He obtained his B. Sc. (Ag.) in 1991, M. Sc. (Ag.) in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry in 1994 and Ph. D. in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry in 2008 from University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. He has also obtained his PGDAEM (Post Graduate Diploma in Agriculture Extension Management) in 2019 from MANAGE, Hyderabad. He has an experience for over 28 years in teaching, research, and extension. He has written 3 textbooks. He has to his credit about 62 full length research papers published in peer reviewed journals of National and International repute as author/co-author. He has guided 12 master’s degree students. Professor Shivanna has received different awards and honors from different professional societies. He has attended many national and international seminars, symposiums, conferences, and workshops. He has delivered number of radio talks, lectures in different training programmes. Presently Dr. Shivanna, M. is working as Professor and Head in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
1. INTRODUCTION TO PROBLEMATIC SOILS ..................... 1
2. CLASSIFICATION OF PROBLEMATIC SOILS .................. 31
A. Physically Problematic Soils and Their Management .............................................................................. 31
1. Slow permeable soils/Impermeable soils ...................... 31
2. Soil surface crusting........................................................... 32
3. Sub soil hard pan ............................................................... 33
4. Highly permeable soils ...................................................... 34
5. Heavy clay soils .................................................................. 35
6. Sandy soils ........................................................................... 36
7. Peat and muck soils ........................................................... 38
8. Compacted soils ................................................................. 39
9. Shallow soils ........................................................................ 42
10. Fluffy paddy soils ............................................................... 42
B. Chemically Problematic Soils and Their Management .............................................................................. 43
1 Salt affected soils ................................................................ 43
2. Acid soils .............................................................................. 95
3. Acid sulphate soils ...........................................................125
4. Calcareous soils ................................................................131
5. Submerged soils ................................................................137
C. Biologically Problematic Soils and Their Management ............................................................................ 183
1. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and microbial population .........................................................................183
2. Earthworms .......................................................................184
3. Soil respiration ..................................................................184
4. Soil Enzymes .....................................................................185
3. SOIL EROSION AND ITS MANAGEMENT......................187
1. Introduction ..............................................................................187
2. Type of soil erosion ..................................................................188
3. Causes of soil erosion ..............................................................194
4. Effects of soil erosion ...............................................................194
5. Factors affecting soil erosion .................................................195
6. Management of soil erosion ...................................................197
4. SOIL POLLUTION AND ITS MANAGEMENT ................201
1. Introduction ..............................................................................201
2. Sources of soil pollution .........................................................202
3. Types of soil pollution .............................................................204
4. Effect of soil pollution .............................................................205
5. Measures to control soil pollution ........................................206
5. QUALITY OF IRRIGATION WATER AND THEIR MANAGEMENT ......................................................................... 209
1. Introduction ..............................................................................209
2. Classification of water quality for irrigation ......................211
3. Management of poor quality irrigation water ...................219
6. LAND CAPABILITY AND SUITABILITY CLASSIFICATION .....................................................................223
1. Definition: Land capability classification ...........................223
2. The different factors that determine the capability of soils ........................................................................................223
3. Classification of land capability classification ...................224
4. The various classes and their characteristic features .......227
7. BIO-REMEDIATION OF PROBLEMATIC SOILS ............229
1. Introduction to bio-remediation ...........................................229
2. Role of multipurpose trees .....................................................236
3. Common multipurpose trees species ...................................238
8. REMOTE SENSING (RS) AND GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) TECHNIQUES IN MANAGEMENT OF PROBLEMATIC SOILS ....................241
1. Introduction ..............................................................................241
2. Stages of remote sensing ........................................................242
3. Advantages of remote sensing ..............................................244
4. Disadvantages of remote sensing .........................................244
5. Use of remote sensing in agriculture and forestry ............245
6. Electromagnetic Radiation (ER) and Electromagnetic Spectrum (ES) ............................................246
7. Remote sensing platforms ......................................................253
8. Kinds/Forms of satellite data ................................................261
9. Geographical Information System (GIS) .............................268
10.Components of GIS .................................................................268
11.Application of remote sensing and geographical information system (RS-GIS) .................................................273
9. SOILS OF INDIA ........................................................................ 287
1. Introduction ..............................................................................287
2. Red soils .....................................................................................288
3. Laterite and lateritic soils .......................................................290
4. Black soils ..................................................................................291
5. Alluvial soils .............................................................................293
6. Arid and desert soil .................................................................294
7. Forest and hill soils ..................................................................295
8. Saline and alkaline soils .........................................................296
9. Peaty and marshy soils ...........................................................297
10.Podsolic soils .............................................................................297
11.Brown forest soils ....................................................................297
12.Salt affected soils .....................................................................298
10. SOIL QUALITY AND SOIL HEALTH ..................................299
1. Introduction ..............................................................................299
2. Characteristics of a healthy soil ............................................302
3. Soil quality indicators .............................................................303
4. Soil constraints .........................................................................305
5. Factors affecting soil quality ..................................................306
REFERENCES ...............................................................................309
TERMINOLOGY .........................................................................315
