Geospatial mapping of soil salinity and sodicity: Insights for crop suitability and management in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu

S S Salma; S Meena; M  Baskar; S Karthikeyan; C Vanniarajan; T Ramesh

doi:10.14719/pst.6933

Authors

S S Salma Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College & Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirappalli 620 027, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0238-3407
S Meena Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4856-8562
M Baskar Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College & Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirappalli 620 027, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9678-8212
S Karthikeyan Centre for Post-Harvest Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1003-3546
C Vanniarajan Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirappalli 620 027, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3474-6412
T Ramesh Department of Agronomy, Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tiruchirappalli 620 027, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9869-9515

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.6933

Keywords:

spatial mapping, soil properties, salinity, Thanjavur

Abstract

Soil characteristics significantly influence the sustainability of agriculture. Physico-chemical characteristics such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and exchangeable cations (calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium) significantly influence soil salinity. Understanding the spatial distribution of salinity and sodicity is crucial for planning site-specific management strategies, especially in degraded lands. Thanjavur, often called the "Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu," encounters challenges sustaining agriculture due to its varied soil characteristics. This study examines the spatial distribution of pH, EC and exchangeable cations across various blocks of Thanjavur district to understand their agricultural implications. Analysis reveals significant variability: The mean soil pH varied from slightly acidic (6.63 in Thanjavur) to alkaline (8.01 in Peravurani) and the mean EC ranged from 0.71 dS m-1 in Thanjavur to 8.26 dS m-1 in Sethubavachatram, indicating stark differences in salinity. The mean exchangeable calcium ranged from 6.49 Cmol (p+) kg-1 (Papanasam) to 14.2 Cmol (p+) kg-1 (Sethubavachatram), and mean exchangeable magnesium from 3.91 Cmol (p+) kg-1 (Orathanadu) to 7.67 Cmol (p+) kg-1 (Sethubavachatram). The mean exchangeable sodium levels span from 1.48 Cmol (p+) kg-1 (Thanjavur) to 3.68 Cmol (p+) kg-1 (Sethubavachatram) and mean exchangeable potassium from 0.12 Cmol (p+) kg-1 (Thanjavur) to 0.37 Cmol (p+) kg-1 (Sethubavachatram), Blocks like Sethubavachatram. Peravurani exhibits higher salinity, challenging salt-sensitive crops, while Thanjavur, Thiruppanandal, and Thiruvidaimarudur are better suited for diverse crops. Using geospatial mapping, these findings offer a valuable resource for farmers, agronomists, and policymakers, facilitating targeted interventions for sustainable agricultural development in Thanjavur district.

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