Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science, Vol. 67, No.

1, pp 1-11 (2019)
DOI: 10.5958/0974-0228.2019.00001.X

Soil Resource Characterization and Classification under Different

Toposequences in Eastern Extension of Chhotanagpur Plateau
Shreyasi Gupta Choudhury*, Tapati Banerjee, Krishnendu Das,
Anil Kumar Sahoo, Dulal Chandra Nayak and Surendra Kumar Singh1
ICAR-National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Regional Centre,
Kolkata, 700091, West Bengal, India

Soil resource characterization and classification is necessary for rainfed zones of West Bengal to suggest
judicial and optimal agricultural land use planning, particularly in those areas where the lands remain
unutilized for more than six months in a year. In the present study, an attempt was made to characterize and
classify the existing soils under various toposequences in Rajnagar block, Birbhum district, West Bengal
situated in the eastern extension of Chhotanagpur plateau (AESR 12.3). Soils were shallow to very deep,
somewhat poorly to excessively drained, sandy loam to clay loam in texture and slightly to severely eroded.
The surface soils were acidic in nature with pH ranging from 4.9 to 6.0, low electrical conductivity (EC)
(0.03 to 0.39 dS m-1) and low to medium organic carbon (OC) content (0.4 to 5.5 g kg-1). Soils were
classified as Entisols, Inceptisols and Alfisols based on their morphological and physicochemical
characteristics. Land capability and irrigability classification revealed that 46.3% of total geographical area
(TGA) was moderately good for cultivation and 45.2% was suitable for irrigation (class 2) with slight
limitations in soil properties, drainage and topography.

Key words: Soil classification, toposequence, Chhotanagpur plateau, rainfed zone

Information regarding spatial distribution and
classification of soils are the important drivers for
strengthening the platform for agricultural land use
planning. It helps not only in soil mapping, but also
in deciding various site specific soil management
practices (Agbenin and Tiessen 1995). Spatial patterns
of soil properties in a landscape are the results of
systematic variations in pedogenic processes and
dynamic interactions between natural and
environmental factors (Jenny 1941). In the present
context of soil quality deterioration and reduced water
availability, the agrarian situation of India, where
more than 70% population depends on agriculture, is
under severe stress for which the total and partial
factor productivity of many crops is declining.
Moreover, the growing demands of food and non-
food commodities will likely increase by 75-100%
globally between 2010-2050 (Keating et al. 2010;
*Corresponding author (Email: shreyasi.acss@gmail.com)
1
Present address: ICAR-National Bureau of Soil Survey and
Land Use Planning, Amravati Road, Nagpur, 440033,
Maharashtra
Tilman et al. 2011; Hosain et al. 2016). The yield
stagnation in irrigated system diverts our attention
towards rainfed areas, where the lands remain
unutilized for agriculture in rabi and pre-kharif
seasons. This situation needs an optimal land use
planning for rainfed region based on detailed
information of soil resources combined with socio-
economic aspects to provide right land use and right
technology in site specific mode to meet the ever
increasing food demand as well as in preserving the
quality of land for posterity. Previously, in our
country, soil resource inventory had been done at
1:250000 scale for state level and 1:50000 for district
level planning. But, to reach and solve the site specific
problems of the farmers directly in their farm, more
detailed information (1:10000 scale) at block level is
required. With this perspective, Rajnagar block,
situated in the rainfed zone (AESR 12.3) of Birbhum
district of West Bengal, has been taken into
consideration for land resource inventory (LRI) for
implementation of scientific soil and water
management strategies and judicial land use planning.
2 JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF SOIL SCIENCE
Materials and Methods
The study area
The present study was conducted in the eastern
extension of Chhotanagpur plateau, situated in hot,
dry sub-humid (AESR 12.3) climate. The area lies
between 23°52′12.1′′ and 24°02′43.8′′ N latitude, and
87°14′04.6′′ and 87°27′46.9′′ E longitude covering
22147 ha area of Rajnagar Block, Birbhum district,
West Bengal (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1. Location map of the study area
The area is characterized by undulating and
dissected terrain interspersed by hillocks and valleys
and the basement is crystalline metamorphic rocks of
Archaean to Proterozoic age that includes amphibolite,
hornblende schist, gabbro, granite gneiss and
unclassified metamorphics. The climate is subhumid,
subtropical with an average annual rainfall of 1300
mm. The mean temperature is 22 °C with a mean
summer temperature of 31 °C and mean winter
temperature of 19.7 °C. The relative humidity ranges
from 43 to 83%. The forests of Rajnagar block are of
tropical dry deciduous type. The original forest of
this area has been destroyed and the present natural
vegetation cover is of secondary nature. The common
plants are babla (Acacia nilotica), bel (Aegle
marmelos), akashmoni or sonajhuri (Acacia
auriculiformis), palash (Butea monosperma), date
palm (Phoenix dactylifera), etc. The shrubs and herbs
include Acacia Bridelia, Calotropis, Cappris, Casia,
Streblus, Feronia, etc. The area is dominated with
rainfed rice cultivation (43.8% of TGA). Apart from
that, mustard and potato are the other dominant crops
in the area under assured irrigation system.
[Vol. 67
Base map preparation
Based on the IRS P6 LISS IV data and different
terrain attributes like contours, drainage, slope and
hill shade were considered as input layer for landform
delineation (Gupta Choudhury et al. 2018). Land use/
land cover (LU/LC) map was developed using current
rabi season data of Cartosat-1 merged LISS-IV (2.5
m) as well as high resolution (0.5 m) public domain
data in the backend. The integration of two secondary
layers i.e. landform and land use were achieved
through the hierarchical object based segmentation
algorithm taking into consideration of the area,
morphology of the landform units and its relation with
the neighbour objects to develop landscape ecological
unit (LEU) map, which was used as base map for soil
survey on 1:10000 scale (Gupta Choudhury et al.
2018). After ground truth checking and finalization
of the maps, certain transacts through different catena
had been worked out during soil survey. Sample strips
of suitable size were delineated to accumulate
maximum LEUs in same transact.
Soil sampling, preparation and analyses
Representative profile observations (Table 1),
random profiles and auger bore sampling were done
to cover all the LEUs confirming soil-landform
relationship. The soil site description was noted using
the standard proforma developed by ICAR-
NBSS&LUP (Sehgal 1987). The detail morphological
characteristics of the soils were studied in the field
(Soil Survey Staff 1995). Horizon-wise soil samples
were collected, air-dried, processed and sieved
through 2-mm sieve for various physicochemical
analyses. Particle size analysis has been carried out
through international pipette method (Piper 1966)
using sodium hexametaphosphate as a dispersing
agent. The textural class was determined by USDA
textural triangle. Soil reaction (pH) and electrical
conductivity (EC) (soil : water :: 1:2.5) were
determined by pH meter (Jackson 1973) and
conductivity meter (Richards 1954). Oxidizable
organic carbon (OC) was determined by wet digestion
method (Walkley and Black 1934). Cation exchange
capacity (CEC) was estimated by leaching the soil
with neutral normal ammonium acetate
(Schollenberger and Simon 1945). The exchangeable
cations extracted through neutral normal ammonium
acetate were determined by flame photometer
(potassium and sodium) and atomic absorption
spectrophotometer (calcium and magnesium)
following the method of Hesse (1972). The soils were
taxonomically classified (Soil Survey Staff 2014) up
2019] CHARACTERIZATION OF SOILS OF CHHOTANAGPUR PLATEAU 3

to sub-group level. Depending on the soil

Pt = Plateau top; DPt = Dissected plateau; Pf = Plateau fringe; U = Upland; Pl = Plain land; Vf = Valley fill; EWD = Excessively well drained, w = well drained, MW =
Plantation/ single crop
characteristics and existing limitations, land capability

Forest/plantation
Forest/plantation
Forest/plantation
Present land use

Double crop
Double crop
and land irrigability classification were evaluated

Single crop

Single crop
Single crop
Wasteland

Wasteland
Wasteland (FAO 1976; Sys et al. 1991; Naidu et al. 2006).

Results and Discussion

Morphological characteristics of soils

Soils of the study area were shallow to very

occasional
occasional
occasional
Flooding

frequent
frequent
deep, excessive to somewhat poorly drained, severely
no
no

no

no
no
no
no

to slightly eroded with sandy loam to clay loam

texture developed on crystalline metamorphic rocks
of Archaean to Proterozoic age that includes
medium amphibolite, hornblende schist, gabbro, granite gneiss
medium
medium

medium
medium

medium
medium
Runoff

rapid
rapid

rapid
rapid
rapid

and unclassified metamorphics. Surface soils of all

the pedons were of 10YR hue except P1, P9 and P10
soils, which were having surface soil hue 7.5YR, 2.5Y
and 2.5Y, respectively. The value and chroma both
ranged from 4 to 6 in surface soil. The sub-soil colour
moderate
moderate
moderate
Erosion

severe
severe
severe
severe

Slight

slight
slight
slight
slight

for all the pedons ranged from 2.5Y to 10YR in hue,

3 to 6 in value and 2 to 8 in chroma (Table 2). The
soil colour seems to be an impression of combined
effect of chemical-minerological composition, texture,
Drainage

topographic position, moisture regime, redoximorphic

EWD

SPD
MW

SPD
SPD
MW
MW

MW

W
W
W
W

features and organic matter (Walia and Rao 1997).

The mottle colour ranged from 5 to 10YR hue with
value 3 to 6 and chroma 3 to 8. The presence of
redoximorphic features revealed the alternate wetting
5—10
Slope

0—1
3—5
3—5
3—5

0—1
1—3

1—3
0—1
1—3

1—3
1—3

and drying conditions within the soil profiles. The

(%)

soil structure is mostly sub-angular blocky with fine,

moderate to coarse in size and moderate in grade. The
consistency of the soils varied from loose to slightly
87.413611
87.354166
87.401111
87.276111

87.408346
87.318055

87.422222
87.372553
87.240833
87.309444

87.408333
87.297711
Longitude

hard (dry), friable to slightly firm (moist) and slightly

(º)

sticky to very sticky (wet). The plasticity varied from

slightly plastic to very plastic depending on the soil
Moderately well drained, SPD = Somewhat poorly drained

type. The relative proportion of sand, silt and clay

along with the type of organic matter associated with
23.981322
23.944277
23.987375

23.984863

23.984843
23.998027

23.958642
23.938194
23.899366
23.924647

23.97335
24.03733
Latitude

the soil separates might play a major role in soil

(º)

consistency (Table 2). Most of the cultivated soils

showed fine many roots in surface as the area is
dominated by monocrop of rice ecology, fine many
Table 1. Site characteristics of the soils

roots were found in surface soils of rice cultivated

Landform

area (Gupta Choudhury et al. 2016).

DPt

Vf
Vf
Pf
Pf
Pt

Pl
Pl
Pt

U
U
U

Physicochemical characteristics of soils

Bhabanandapur

The data of different physicochemical properties

Sundarkhela

Monaharpur
Shankarpur
Kuralmatia

Madhaipur

of the soils are presented in detail in table 3. Data

Gangmuri
Bhurabali

Lauberia

Kundira
Gurkata
Aligarh
Village

revealed that the total sand, silt and clay content

ranged from 29.4 to 82.8%, 6.8 to 63.5% and 5.3 to
39.5% with mean value 56.1%, 35.2% and 22.4%,
respectively. In general, the surface soils were acidic
Pedon

P10
P11
P12

in nature with pH ranging from 4.9 to 6.0. The sub-

P1
P2
P3
P4
P5
P6
P7
P8
P9
4 JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF SOIL SCIENCE [Vol. 67

Table 2. Morphological properties of the pedons

Pedon Horizon Boundary Matrix Texture Mottle Structure Consistency Plasticity Roots
depth colour colour Dry Moist w

Pedon 1: Loamy-skeletal, mixed, hyperthermic Lithic Haplustepts

0-14 A cs 7.5YR 5/6 sl — m1sbk sh fr ss sp ff
14-33 Bw gs 10YR6/6 l — m1sbk sh fr ss sp —
Pedon 2: Fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Haplustalfs
0-18 Ap gs 10YR5/6 sl — m1sbk l fr ss sp fm
18-34 Bw1 cs 10YR5/8 sl — m2sbk l fr ss sp fc
34-52 Bt2 cs 10YR4/6 scl — m2sbk sh fr ms mp mf
52-65 Bt3 cs 10YR4/6 scl — m2sbk sh fr ms mp —
65-95 Bt4 cs 10YR 5/8 scl 5YR 4/4 m2sbk sh fr ms mp —
Pedon 3: Fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Aeric Epiaqualfs
0-20 Ap cs 10YR4/4 l 7.5YR5/8 m1sbk l fr ms mp fm
20-45 Bw1 cs 10YR4/3 sl 7.5YR5/6 m1sbk l fr ss sp fc
45-72 Bt2 cs 10YR4/2 scl 7.5YR4/6 m2sbl sh fi ms mp ff
72-98 Bt3 cs 10YR4/3 cl 7.5YR5/8 m3sbk sh fi vs vp —
98-118+ Bt4 cs 10YR4/3 cl 7.5YR5/8 m3sbk sh fi vs vp —
Pedon 4: Loamy skeletal, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Haplustalfs
0-15 Ap cs 10YR5/6 sl — m1sbk l fr ms mp fc
15-29 Bt1 cs 10YR5/6 scl — m2sbk l fr ms mp —
29-54 Bt2 cw 10YR4/6 scl — m2sbk sh fr vs vp —
54-100 Bt3 cs 10YR5/6 scl — m2sbk sh fr vs vp —
Pedon 5: Loamy skeletal, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Haplustepts
0-15 Ap gs 10YR5/6 sl — m1sbk l fr ms mp cm
15-31 Bw1 cs 10YR 5/6 sl — m1sbk l fr ms mp fm
31-50 Bt2 cs 10YR 5/3 scl 2.5YR4/8 m2sbk sh fr vs vp cf
50-70 Bt3 cs 10YR 5/4 sl 2.5YR4/6 m1sbk l fr ms mp cf
Pedon 6: Coarse loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Haplustepts
0-17 Ap cs 10YR5/4 sl — m1sbk l fr ss sp cm
17-44 Bw1 cs 10YR5/6 l — m1sbk l fr ms mp fm
44-80 Bw2 cs 7.5YR5/8 l — m1sbk l fr ms mp cf
Pedon 7: Loamy-skeletal, mixed, hyperthermic Lithic Ustothents
0-15 A cs 10YR6/6 sl — m1sbk l fr ms mp —
15-40 AC cs 10YR5/6 sl — m1sbk l fr ms mp —
Pedon 8: Fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Oxyaquic Haplustalfs
0-17 Ap cs 10YR 5/4 l — m1sbk l fr ms mp fm
17-36 Bt1 cs 10YR4/6 sl — m1sbk l fr ms mp fc
36-49 Bt2 cs 10YR 5/6 scl 7.5YR4/4 m2sbk sh fr vs vp ff
49-77 Bt3 cs 2.5Y 6/3 l 5YR 4/6 m1sbk sh sfi ms mp —
77-115+ Bt4 cs 2.5Y 6/3 l 5YR 4/6 m1sbk sh sfi ms mp —
Pedon 9: Fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Aeric Epiaquepts.
0-15 Ap cs 2.5Y 5/4 sl 7.5YR5/6 m1sbk l fr ss sp fm
15-33 Bw1 cs 2.5Y 5/2 scl 7.5YR5/6 m2sbk sh sfi ms mp fc
33-55 Bw2 cs 2.5Y 5/2 sl 10 YR 6/8 m1sbk l fr ms mp ff
55-78 Bw3 cs 2.5Y 5/4 l 10 YR 6/8 m1sbk l fr ms mp —
78-110+ Bw4 cs 2.5Y 5/2 sl 10 YR 6/8 m1sbk sh sfi ss sp —
Pedon 10: Coarse loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Ustorthents
0-20 A cs 2.5Y4/2 l 7.5YR4/6 m1sbk sh sfi ms mp fm
20-40 AC1 cs 2.5Y4/2 sl 7.5YR4/6 m1sbk sh sfi ss sp fc
40-61 AC2 gs 10YR4/4 sl 7.5YR4/4 m1sbk l fr ss sp ff
61-86 AC3 gs 10YR4/4 sl 7.5YR4/4 m1sbk l fr ss sp —
86-110+ AC4 gs 10YR3/4 sl 7.5YR3/4 m1sbk l fr ss sp —
Pedon 11: Fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Oxyaquic Haplustalfs
0-14 Ap cs 10 YR 4/4 sl 7.5YR5/6 m1sbk l fr ss sp fm
14-33 Bw1 cs 10 YR 5/4 sl 7.5YR4/6 m1sbk l fr ss sp fc
33-61 Bt2 cs 10 YR 4/4 sil 10YR4/4 m2sbk sh sh ms mp ff
61-90 Bt3 cs 10 YR 3/4 sicl 10YR3/4 m2sbk sh sfi ms mp —
90-125+ Bt4 gs 10 YR 3/4 sicl 10YR3/4 m2sbk sh s ms mp —
2019] CHARACTERIZATION OF SOILS OF CHHOTANAGPUR PLATEAU 5

Pedon 12: Coarse loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Ustorthents

0-20 Ap cs 10YR4/4 cl — m3sbk sh fi ms mp fm
20-48 A1 cs 10YR3/4 scl — m2sbk l sfi ms mp fc
48-75 AC cs 10YR3/4 sl — m1sbk l fr ss sp ff
75-110 2C1 cs 10YR 4/6 ls — sg l fr ns np —
110-140+ 2C2 gs 10YR4/6 l — m1sbk l fr ms mp —
Soil texture: sl = sandy loam, cl = clay loam, ls = loamy sand, sil = silty loam, scl = sandy clay loam, l = loam, sicl = silty clay
loam.
Roots: ff = fine few, fc = fine common, fm = fine many, cm = coarse many, cf = coarse few.
Consistency: sh = slightly hard, l = loose, fr = friable, sfi = slightly firm, ss = slightly sticky, sp = slightly plastic, ms =
moderately sticky, mp = moderately plastic, vs = very sticky, vp = very plastic.
Structure: m = medium size, sbk = sub-angular blocky, sg = single grain, 1 = weak structure, 2 = moderate structure, 3 = strong
structure.
Boundary: cs = clear smooth, gs = gradual smooth, cw = clear wavy.
Soil depth (m)

Fig. 2. Landform-soil relationship of Rajnagar Block, Birbhum District, West Bengal

surface soils were strongly acidic to slightly alkaline
in reaction (Table 3). The low EC (0.03 to 0.39 dS
m-1) indicated low salt concentration in soil solution.
In all the soil profiles, OC was low to medium (0.4 to
5.5 g kg -1). Surface soil contained higher OC as
compared to its corresponding sub-surface layers. The
higher OC value in surface soils might be attributed
to the crop residue and leaf litter addition in surface
than sub-surface soil (Mandal et al. 2008; Gupta
Choudhury et al. 2016). The OC content of all the
soils decreased with increasing depth. The cultivation
of double crop in the valley fill region resulted in
deposition of higher plant residues in the form of root
and shoot biomass, which might increase the SOC
content in that region as compared to other land uses
(Gupta Choudhury et al. 2014). Among the various
exchangeable bases, calcium and magnesium shared
the major proportion from 52.2 to 75.4% and from
20.0 to 36.5% of the total exchangeable bases,
respectively. The CEC of the soil was low (ranging
from 2.4 to 19.4 cmol(p+)kg-1) due to low clay and
low to medium OC content with acidic soil pH. The
surface soil of all the pedons had low base saturation
ranging from 57 to 74%, which depicted low fertility
of the soil because of low CEC and calcium content
of the soil.
Soil classification
On the basis of morphological and
physicochemical characterization, the soils of
 6
Table 3. Physicochemical characteristics of the pedon
Profile Depth VC C M F VF Total sand Silt Clay pHw pHKCl EC OC Ca2+ Mg2+ Na+ K+ CEC BS
+ -1
(cm) (%) (dS m-1) (%) [cmol(p )kg ] (%)
P1 0-14 5.1 10.8 18.7 15.8 2.2 52.6 33.8 13.6 5.2 4.5 0.004 0.21 2.5 0.7 0.1 0.1 5.9 58
14-33 10.2 10.9 13.7 10.1 1.2 46.1 34.5 19.4 5.2 4.2 0.14 0.11 3.5 1.2 0.1 0.1 7.9 62
P2 0-18 7.0 10.1 28.1 18.4 0.2 63.8 23.8 12.4 5 4.4 0.09 0.19 1.4 0.6 0.2 0.2 3.9 62
18-34 5.7 11.4 32.1 15.7 0.8 65.7 17.2 17.1 5.2 4.9 0.08 0.13 2.1 0.9 0.2 0.2 5.6 61
34-52 4.2 12.5 23.5 11.7 0.7 52.6 27.1 20.3 5.6 4.8 0.1 0.13 3.6 1.3 0.3 0.1 7.8 68
52-65 18.3 14.3 18.9 8.9 0.6 61 17.5 21.5 5.9 5.3 0.11 0.1 4.4 1.4 0.3 0.1 8.8 70
65-95 21.6 14.2 10.0 5.0 0.7 51.5 21.1 27.4 6.3 5.5 0.08 0.07 5.7 1.7 0.3 0.2 10.7 74
P3 0-20 4.9 4.6 16.8 17.4 1.9 45.6 37.2 17.2 5.2 4.3 0.09 0.55 3.9 1.4 0.1 0.1 8.3 66
20-45 1.2 10.8 28.6 15.6 0.9 57.1 28.8 14.1 7.1 5.5 0.14 0.15 4.4 1.4 0.1 0.1 7 83
45-72 11.9 9.7 12.9 10.2 1.3 46 27.8 26.2 7.1 5.3 0.12 0.09 9 3 0.2 0.1 14.5 85
72-98 1.7 4.1 7.1 14.6 1.9 29.4 39.8 32.8 6.7 4.9 0.39 0.07 9.8 2.8 0.3 0.1 16 81
98-118+ 0.4 1.6 10.1 20.9 3.7 34.7 25.8 39.5 6.7 4.7 0.35 0.06 5.9 1.6 0.4 0.1 17.1 47
P4 0-15 7.9 10.3 21.1 14.1 0.7 54.1 31.5 14.4 5.1 3.9 0.07 0.3 1.6 0.8 0.2 0.2 4.5 62
15-29 8.3 11.5 24.2 12.2 0.8 57 22.8 20.2 6.0 4.7 0.09 0.15 2.4 1.0 0.2 0.3 5.5 71
29-54 2.6 7.9 26.9 22.9 2.5 62.8 10.8 26.4 5.7 4.3 0.09 0.1 4.5 1.4 0.3 0.2 9.2 70
54-100 5.5 11.5 21.0 16.8 1.1 55.9 12.4 31.7 6.2 4.8 0.07 0.04 3.9 1.5 0.3 0.2 8.1 73
P5 0-15 7.5 12.9 25.5 12.5 1.7 60.1 25.4 18.5 5.2 3.7 0.05 0.19 2.8 0.9 0.3 0.2 7.4 57
15-31 9.7 14.5 22.4 15.4 1.5 63.5 26.9 9.6 5.0 3.4 0.03 0.15 1.2 0.5 0.3 0.3 4.5 51
31-50 3.5 8.6 26.7 14.6 3.5 56.9 22.8 20.3 4.9 3.3 0.01 0.1 3.6 1.0 0.2 0.2 8.5 59
50-70 7.8 11.5 24.5 14.6 1.9 60.3 21 18.7 5.1 3.9 0.03 0.07 4.2 1.2 0.3 0.2 8.0 73
P6 0-17 1.7 10.8 24.1 19.2 0.8 56.6 33.8 9.6 4.9 3.7 0.24 0.44 1.4 0.6 0.1 0.2 3.8 61
17-44 7.2 12.9 13.8 7.7 0.7 42.3 41.7 16.0 5.8 4.1 0.16 0.23 3.3 1.1 0.1 0.2 6.9 68
44-80 3.8 9.8 19.6 13.7 0.6 47.5 40.6 11.9 5.0 4.0 0.3 0.15 2.0 0.9 0.1 0.1 4.9 63
P7 0-15 2.1 8.1 35.4 21.4 1.5 68.5 24.7 6.8 5.3 4.2 0.17 0.11 0.9 0.5 0.1 0.1 2.4 67
15-40 12.6 8.3 24.2 25.9 1.8 72.8 21.9 5.3 5.2 4.1 0.15 0.07 1.6 0.8 0.1 0.1 3.8 68
P8 0-17 3.1 7.1 20.3 19.0 1.3 50.8 36.3 12.9 6.0 4.2 0.05 0.6 3.0 1.9 0.2 0.1 7.0 74
17-36 2.9 7.5 22.8 22.9 1.8 57.9 30.9 11.2 6.7 4.9 0.12 0.16 2.5 1.3 0.2 0.1 5.2 79
36-49 4.3 8.1 25.0 16.6 1.1 55.1 23.3 21.6 6.8 4.8 0.09 0.14 5.3 2.2 0.3 0.1 9.7 81
49-77 7.6 7.9 14.8 12.8 0.9 44.0 29.7 26.3 7.1 4.8 0.07 0.16 5.7 2.5 0.9 0.2 11.3 82
JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF SOIL SCIENCE

77-115+ 11.8 6.9 11.6 10.1 2.1 42.5 31.0 26.5 6.9 4.7 0.04 0.19 6.9 3.1 1.1 0.2 14.0 81
P9 0-15 2 11.9 22.8 15.8 0.9 53.4 31.7 14.9 5.6 4.5 0.06 0.38 1.9 0.8 0.2 0.1 4.4 68
15-33 5.6 12.7 18.5 11.8 1.9 50.5 23.6 25.9 8.0 6.3 0.11 0.26 6.8 2.0 0.2 0.1 10.0 91
33-55 4.8 13.6 24.6 9.3 0.5 52.8 27.8 19.4 7.8 6.3 0.24 0.18 6.9 2.1 0.3 0.1 10.4 90
55-78 1.3 10.8 22.9 13.9 0.7 49.6 32 18.4 7.6 6.3 0.19 0.1 6.1 1.9 0.1 0.1 9.2 89
78-110+ 1.2 5.2 20.7 22.1 1.6 50.8 30.7 18.5 7.5 6.0 0.12 0.19 4.6 1.6 0.2 0.1 7.4 88
P10 0-20 5.9 7.8 12.5 11.6 0.9 38.7 37.4 23.9 5.2 4.6 0.06 0.6 3.7 1.5 0.2 0.1 8.5 65
20-40 3.9 10.9 21.7 17.4 0.9 54.8 26.1 19.1 6.3 5.2 0.15 0.25 3.4 1.4 0.2 0.1 6.7 76
40-61 5.5 13.9 28.5 24.5 1.8 74.2 15.6 10.2 6.4 5.4 0.29 0.09 1.9 0.9 0.2 0.1 4.0 78
61-86 1.4 4.6 22.7 32.2 1.8 62.7 22.1 15.2 7.4 5.4 0.04 0.1 2.5 1.0 0.2 0.1 4.4 86
86-110+ 6.5 16.3 33.6 17.9 0.8 75.1 13.6 11.3 7.6 5.8 0.05 0.1 2.4 0.9 0.2 0.1 4.1 88
Contd...
[Vol. 67
2019] CHARACTERIZATION OF SOILS OF CHHOTANAGPUR PLATEAU 7

Rajnagar block have been classified into taxonomical

units up to family level (Soil Survey Staffs 2014) into

66
83
84

90
90
68

81

93
88
77
three major orders (Alfisols, Inceptisols and Entisols).
Among the twelve pedons, P2, P3, P8 and P11 were

12.1
19.4
17.9
14.6

5.1
4.0
5.9

7.6
9.7
5.2 classified as Alfisols with clay enrichment (≥ 1.2
times) along the depth within each soil profiles.
Presence of Argillic horizon with thick patchy cutans
0.4
0.2
0.1
0.2

0.1
0.1
0.1

0.2
0.2
0.1

on the ped faces assured the downward movement of

0.2 clay particle, which was also observed by
0.2
0.2
0.1

0.1
0.1
0.1

0.5
0.1

0.1
Gangopadhyay et al. (2012) while working in another
area of Chhotanagpur plateau. Pedon P1, P4, P5, P6
and P9 were classified under Inceptisols, having
1.7
4.4
3.9
3.3

1.0
0.9
1.3

1.8
1.5

1.9

cambic horizon with low base status and the signs of

recent soil development owing to the alteration of
11.3
10.8

5.7
8.2
2.5

3.4
2.5
4.6
2.3

6.3

parent material without much clay illuviation and

accumulation in the sub-soil. Pedon P7, P10 and P12
were classified Entisols with very slight degree of
0.25
0.14
0.05
0.55

0.15
0.05
0.23

0.29
0.4

0.2

soil formation. Entisoils were developed on recent

alluvium, variable parent materials and rocks under
0.24
0.19
0.19
0.14
0.26

0.04
0.03
0.09

0.15

0.04

the effect of wind and water erosion. These soils

occurred specially in undulating upland (P7), gently
sloping undulating plains (P10) and valley fill (P12)
5.0
4.9
4.9
4.1

4.7

6.3
6.3
4.7

7.0
6

regions. They were classified as loamy-skeletal,

mixed, hyperthermic Lithic Haplustepts and fine
VC = very coarse sand; C = coarse sand; M = moderate sand; F = fine sand; VF = very fine sand

loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Haplustalfs in

7.1
7.1
5.3

7.0
5.2

7.9
7.8
6.4

7.5

7.9

plateau top region; fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic

Aeric Epiaqualfs in dissected plateau; loamy skeletal,
26.7
39.5
16.9

30.4
29.4

10.4
14.6

20.1

12.5
8.7

mixed, hyperthermic Typic Haplustalfs and loamy

skeletal, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Haplustepts in
plateau fringe; coarse loamy, mixed, hyperthermic
63.5
53.0
27.1

50.9
40.9
26.7
19.2

37.9
6.8
17

Typic Haplustepts, loamy-skeletal, mixed,

hyperthermic Lithic Ustothents and fine loamy, mixed,
hyperthermic Oxyaquic Haplustalfs in undulating
18.7
29.7
53.2
72.1
82.8
49.6
68.4
9.8
7.5
56

upland; fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Aeric

Epiaquepts and coarse loamy, mixed, hyperthermic
Typic Ustorthents in plain; fine loamy, mixed,
0.4
0.2
0.9
1.1
1.5

2.1
2.9
1.3
2.4

0.7

hyperthermic Oxyaquic Haplustalfs and coarse loamy,

mixed, hyperthermic Typic Ustorthents in valley fill
11.2
13.8
20.8

26.8
34.5
39.6
37.3

12.8
4.2
3.6

areas.
10.6
26.4

20.4
32.9
36.9
26.7

21.9

Landform-soil relationship
3.2
2.8
2.3

Rajnagar block has a complex geomorphological

set up in which the western part consisted of the
10.8
2.8
4.9

1.5
1.2
1.0

3.2
1.2
4.8
1.7

extended portion of Chhotanagpur plateau and the

eastern part resembled the characteristics of Indo-
Gangetic plains. The area is having a typically three
1.4
2.4

1.9

3.4
1.2
0.4

0.2
0.3

0.7
0.6

major physiographic divisions viz., plateau, undulating

90-125+

97-140+

upland and alluvial plain, with nine landform units

14-33
33-61
61-90

20-48
48-75
75-97
0-14

0-20

such as dissected plateau, plateau top, plateau fringe,

gently sloping undulating upland, very gently sloping
undulating upland, gently sloping undulating plain,
P11

P12

very gently sloping alluvial plain, valley fill and

8 JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF SOIL SCIENCE [Vol. 67

hillock (Gupta Choudhury et al. 2016). Soils of Table 4. Land capability sub-classes for different pedons
plateau top were shallow to moderately shallow, Land capability Soil profiles Area TGA
loamy skeletal to fine loamy gravelly soils with sub-classes (km2) (%)
excessive drainage and moderate erosion (P1 and P2).
IIIs P10, P12 31.32 14.15
Plateau fringe landform had two contrasting phases IIIes P3 3.56 1.61
(erosional and depositional). The soils in erosional IIIws P8, P9, P11 68.4 30.88
phase (P5) were gravelly shallow with severe erosion IVs P2, P4 18.76 8.46
and rapid runoff (Table 1 and Fig. 2); whereas, soils IVes P6 42.16 19.04
of the depositional phase (P4) were moderately deep Vs P5 10.1 4.56
VIews P1, P7 15.75 7.11
with moderate erosion and rapid runoff. Profiles P6, Total agricultural area 190.05 85.81
P7 and P8 were developed in undulating uplands with Miscellaneous 31.42 14.19
moderately deep to deep, well to somewhat poorly Block area 221.47 100
drained soils. The varying range of characteristics in
upland soils were due to the partial influence of Land capability and land irrigability classification
Chhotanagpur plateau in the western part and Indo- Land capability classification is an estimation
Gangetic plains in the eastern part of the specified of the suitability of the land units for agricultural and
landform. Soils of plains (P9 and P10) and valley fill non-agricultural purposes. Based on the soil criteria
(P11 and P12) were deep to very deep, well to (Kilngebiel 1958) and limitations such as erosion (e),
somewhat poorly drained, medium runoff with slight soil (s), climate (c) and wetness (w), soils of the block
erosion (Table 1 and Fig. 2). Gangopadhyay et al. have been grouped into seven land capability sub-
(2015) also reported similar type of poorly drained classes as described in table 4 and fig. 3. Results
deep soils with slight erosion in valley fill landform showed that P3, P8, P9, P10, P11 and P12 soils had
situated in a watershed of Chhotanagpur plateau strongly to moderately acidic pH, low EC, low to
region of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal. medium OC status with low CEC and were moderately

Fig. 3. Land capability subclasses of Rajnagar Block, Birbhum District, West Bengal
2019] CHARACTERIZATION OF SOILS OF CHHOTANAGPUR PLATEAU 9

Table 5. Land irrigability sub-classes for different pedons growing of plantation forest and orchards would be a
Land irrigability Soil profiles Area TGA suitable option for P2, P4 and P6 soils. Soils of P1,
sub-classes (km2) (%) P5 and P7 were not suitable for arable farming due to
the severe soil erosion, shallow soil depth, very
2s P2 1.47 0.66
2 sd P8, P9, P11 68.4 30.88
strongly acidic pH, low CEC and OC content (Table
2st P3, P10 30.15 13.62 4 and Fig. 3).
3s P12 7.06 3.19 Land irrigability classification was derived on
3 st P4 14.96 6.75 the basis of soil characteristics related to moisture
4 st P5, P6 52.26 23.6 holding capacity like soil texture, depth, available
4 sd P1 10.89 4.92
4 std P7 4.86 2.19
water, moisture retention, salinity, infiltration and
Total agricultural area 190.05 85.81 permeability along with the topography, drainage
Miscellaneous 31.42 14.19 requirement, quantity and quality of water, water table
Block area 221.47 100 depth, ground water aquifer etc. Irrigability classes
were also divided into sub-classes depending on the
good cultivable land on plateau, plain and valley fill limitation like soil limitation (s), topographic
area. Based on land capability classes towards crop limitation (t) and drainage limitations (d). The soil of
cultivation, suitable crops and their drought tolerant the block have been classified into three land
varieties are to be selected along with organic matter irrigability classes (2, 3 and 4) and eight sub-classes
application and mulching practice as soil management (2sd, 2st, 2s, 3s, 3st, 4st, 4sd and 4std) covering 30.88,
options for these soils. Profile P2, P4 and P6 were 13.62, 0.66, 3.19, 6.75, 23.6, 4.92 and 2.19% of the
marginally suitable for crop cultivation due to TGA, respectively (Table 5 and Fig. 4).
limitations of soil (s) with respect to shallow depth, Results revealed that soil profiles P2, P3, P8,
very strongly to strongly acidic pH, low OC and CEC P9, P10 and P11 were suitable for irrigation (class 2)
status and moderate to severe erosion (e). Thus, with slight limitations in soil properties, drainage and

Fig. 4. Land irrigability subclasses of Rajnagar block, Birbhum district, West Bengal
10 JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF SOIL SCIENCE
topography. Pedons P4 and P12 were slightly suitable
for irrigation (class 3) with moderate limitations
related to soil properties and topography. Pedons P1,
P5, P6 and P7 were almost unsuitable (class 4) for
irrigation management with severe limitations in soil,
topography and drainage. Therefore, on the basis of
land irrigability classification, P3, P4, P6 and P10
soils are to be manuevered with terrace bunding,
mulching and sprinkler or drip irrigation (depending
on crop requirement) methods to overcome
topographic and drainage limitations. Soil limitations
can be minimized through selection of suitable crops
with higher canopy coverage, soil organic matter
management and liming of acid soils to get more
benefit out of the existing soil environment.
Conclusions
The variation in soil type and profile
development depicted the combined influence of
landform and slope originated from Chhotanagpur
plateau and its eastern extension. The characterization
and classification of existing soils revealed the
presence of Alfisols, Inceptisols and Entisols in the
study area. Soils were in a range of shallow to very
deep, loamy skeletal to fine loamy, excessive to
somewhat poorly drained with severe to slight erosion.
Generally, the surface soils were acidic, non-saline in
nature with low to medium OC status. Land capability
and irrigability classification indicated that the
profiles P3, P8, P9, P10 and P11 were moderately
good cultivable lands and suitable for irrigation;
whereas, profiles P1, P5 and P7 were unsuitable for
both cultivation and irrigation.
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