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Remote Sensing of soil suitability for horticulture cropping patterns based on FAO standards: A case study of Bestavaripeta and Cumbum regions of Prakasam (dt.) – AP, India
P. Venkateswarlu and M. Anji Reddy
Centre for Environment,
IPGSR, JNT University, Masab tank,
Hyderabad – 500028
The present study deals with the application
of IRS 1C LISS III image data for the spatial analysis and mapping of different types of
soils in order to suggest their suitability for Horticultural cropping patterns. This study
is conducted on a drought prone and very backward district namely, Prakasam Dt., of Andhra
Pradesh. Prakasam (Dt.) is one of the newly constituted district in the state formed during
1970.The area considered lies between longitudes 78°45¢ to 79°15¢E and latitudes 15°10¢ to
15°50¢N and is situated in the western part of Prakasam (Dt.). The geographical area of the
region is 1,35,133ha. The rainfall is scanty and erratic. Unlike in other districts of A.P.
the agroclimatic conditions of Prakasam (Dt.) are quite peculiar and differ from the other
part of the district. The cropping pattern in each division is also different due to
variation in soil type and agroclimatic conditions. The entire study is conducted in three
steps: (a) RS data acquisition and analysis (b) Field data collection and analysis (c) The
comparison of these results with the FAO standards for the suggestion of suitability of
soils in the area. IRS-1C/LISS-III data is interpreted and correlated with land features
such as Lithology, landform, vegetation cover and drainage with tonal variations in soils.
The prefield interpretation of satellite imageries is carried out and is validated by means
of soil profiles of soil series developed through the intensive fieldwork. The results of
chemical analysis of the soils is compared with FAO framework for land evaluation of the
study area and thus suggested the soil suitability for horticultural crops. The results of
this comparison, spatial distribution of soil types, soil series the relationships between
physiography and soil profiles are then integrated. Based on the critical examination of
each of these results, soil suitability for specific horticultural cropping patterns are
suggested for the sustainable development of the study area in Prakasam (Dt.).
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