Application of Soil Fertility Capability Classification (FCC) in Dry Semi Arid Land of South Telangana Plateau, Andhra Pradesh

ABSTRACT

Soil fertility capability classification (FCC) is a system of representing soils with a set of physical and chemical properties particularly fertility-related constraints of topsoil as well as sub-soil as which directly influences plant growth and production. An investigation was undertaken to study the soils in detail in a 1:10000 scale survey. Soils were classified into 10 series and 53 mapping units as per soil taxonomy based on morphological, physical, and chemical properties. Soil fertility capability classification was applied to all the identified soils from different land-use systems of the south Telangana plateau. The major soil constraints identified through condition modifiers in the descending order were dry soil moisture (d: 100%), gravelliness (>35%) (r⁺⁺: 51.68%), low K reserve (k: 34.07%), basic reaction (b: 32.58%), low organic carbon content (m: 24.05%), acidity (h: 23.01%), low cation exchange capacity (e: 16.81%), and gravelliness (10–35%) (r⁺: 13.48%). The limitations identified in specific landform and land use through condition modifiers help to combat the deterioration of land quality and also helps to implement suitable land management practices for elevated production and productivity apart from reducing land degradation and erosion besides.

KEYWORDS:

• Dry semi-arid land
• soil fertility capability classification
• condition modifiers
• land-use system
• taxonomic units

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research [NRMANBSSLUPSIL201700200461].