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Characterization, Classification and Nutrient
Indexing of Saffron Growing Soils of District
Pulwama
Mohammad Iqbal Bhat
Dr. G.R. Najar
Ph.D
2010
Alfisols, Argillans, Cambic, Characterization,
Classification, Clay cutans, Illites, Mineralogy,
Nutrient indexing, Udorthents
ABSTRACT
A systematic and scientific appraisal of natural resources, especially soils is important
and helpful to augment food production. Soil resource inventory is, therefore, basic for
rationalizing land use according to its potentiality. Since no two soils are alike and have their
own potential and/or problems and behave differently to management inputs, therefore, their use
as per their potential is imperative for sustainable agriculture production.
On the basis of physiography the soils of Kashmir valley have been categorized into high altitude
(Kandi), mid altitude (Karewa) and the low altitude (Valley basin). The mid altitude saffron
growing karewas are the Pleistocene and post-pleistocene deposits of lacustrine origin with an
altitude of 1582-1800 m (amsl). The commercial importance of these soils for the saffron crop in
particular necessitates their characterization classification and nutrient indexing for agrotechnological transfer. In order to address the above objective 15 representative soil profiles were
selected from whole of the saffron belt in the Pulwama district on the basis of variation in
apparent soil colour, topography and aspect. The excavated soil profiles were thoroughly
examined for morphological characteristics and horizon wise soil samples were collected for
laboratory analysis. The profiles were found to be of A-B or A-C type, with either well
developed sub-surface diagnostic argillic horizon (Bt) in profiles on near level lands facing north
and the cambic horizon in profiles facing south. The profiles on higher elevation with very gentle
slope did not show any profile development. The texture showed variation with increase in the
depth of the soil pedon. Generally the soil texture changed from silt clay/loam to clay loam
except in profiles P10, P11 and P12 where it changed from loam to sandy loam, clay loam to loam
and silt loam to clay loam/silt loam. The pH was slightly acidic to alkaline in pedons facing
northern aspect and alkaline in the southern aspect facing pedons. The CaCO3 was found only at
the sub-surface horizons giving an indication of calcareous nature of the parent material.
Electrical conductivity in all the profiles was in normal range. The organic carbon content in the
leveled land profiles facing north was found higher as compared to south facing pedons. The
cation exchange capacity of north facing pedons was also found higher than south facing pedons
and it showed generally an increasing trend with the depth of soil pedon. The exchange complex
was dominated by Ca2+ followed by Mg2+ and K+, respectively. Clay mineralogy revealed the
dominance of illite followed by mixed layer, hydroxyl interlayered vermiculites, smectite,
chlorite, kaolinite and some amount of quartz and feldspar. All the micro-nutrient were found in
sufficient range and among the primary macro-nutrients N and K varied from medium to higher
range and available phosphorus was found in the lower range (deficit). Among the micronutrient
Zn, Fe, and Mn showed significant positive correlation with organic carbon and negative
significant correlation coefficient with soil pH. The soils are classified as Eutrochrepts,
Udorthents and Hapludafls, respectively. Nutrient indexing for N, P and K, too revealed that
these soils are deficient in phosphorus and require phosphorus along with nitrogen and potassium
management for sustainable saffron yields.