Soil Charactreristic Mapping for Irrigation Planning of Command of Hanumansagar Reservoir

A study was conducted to assess the characteristics of soils for irrigation planning of command of Hanumansagar reservoir. Physio-chemical properties of soils of the command were assessed at grid of 2.4 x 2.4 km from 0-30 cm depth. The soils of command are classified into four-soil types i.e. clay, clay loam, silty clay loam and silty clay. The most of the soils of command area were clayey (about 77%). Clay, sand and silt content in the soil ranged from 36.32 to 57.70 per cent, 4.75 to 27.25 per cent and 18.6 to 49.29 per cent, respectively. The bulk density and hydraulic conductivity of soils of command was found varying from 1.48 to 1.81 g cm-3 and 1.1 to 13.9 mm hr-1, respectively. The water retention of soil at 0.33 bar varied from 23.77 to 35.63 per cent and at 15 bar varied from 13.30 to 26.30 per cent. The soils of command area were found moderately to strongly alkaline in reaction as pH varied from 7.63 to 8.78. Electrical conductivity of soils was observed ranging from 0.23 to 0.93 dS m-1. Calcium carbonate of these soils varied from 6.25 to 23.5 per cent indicating that the soils are highly calcareous. Thus, the soils of command area are not suitable for horticultural plantation specifically belonging to citrus family. The contour profiles of determined soil properties were prepared as ready reckoner maps.