Research on soil

Research on soil
 
Seventy irrigation water samples were collected from different villages of Rajgarh tehsil during 2002-03 and samples were analysed for their quality determination. Chemical characteristics were analysed in which pH, EC, SAR, RSC, pHc and Adj. SAR ranged between 8.0-9.1, 1.70-14.10 dSm-1, 6.0-39.3, negative to 6.7meL , 6.17-7.4 and 15.3 to 83.7, respectively . The irrigation waters on the tract were classified in to three groups (Gupta, 1986). Four salinity (EC) classes, four sodicity (SAR) classes and four alkalinity (RSC) classes. Majority of water samples were of high SAR-saline category followed by marginally alkalinity problem. The irrigation water of the tract was classified in ten classes (according to EC and Adj. SAR). Majority of irrigation water samples of the tract are not suitable for irrigation purpose.
In Rajasthan Soil salinity and alkalinity problems are primarily due to irrigation with poor quality water which are further accentuated by the aridity of state. Ground water in the western Rajasthan had diversity of quality problems.
Paliwal (1972) concluded that salinity and sodium hazards in well waters were more in the western Rajasthan where aridity is more while, these decrease with increase in rainfall in the East. Gupta (1991) reported that the ground waters of 11 districts of western Rajasthan are sodic in nature due to high SAR or RSC value. Ground water is deep and saline.
The previous information showed that the quality of irrigation water of Churu district was very poor. This information was based on study of very few numbers of tube wells since 1995 and onward many tube wells have been dug in Churu district particularly in Rajgarh tehsil and water being used for irrigation. Information regarding the quality of underground irrigation water, their effects on properties of soils of Rajgarh tehsil is meager, therefore, present investigation have been under taken.
Irrigation with poor quality water containing high concentration of cations and anions of salts may adversely affect the properties of soil by increasing salt content and exchangeable sodium of soil solution (Lal and Singh, 1973, 1974. Composition of irrigated soil changes in relation to water quality. The salt content of soil was closely related to salt content of irrigation water (Thorne and Thorne, 1954; Lal and Lal, 1988; and Khandelwal and Lal, 1991); therefore, quality of irrigation water in relation to its impact on soil properties is of particular interest in arid and semi-arid areas.

Experimental
Rajgarh tehsil is located in South-East part of Churu district which comes under Zone IIa (Transitional plain of inland drainage). It is a semi-arid belt of Rajasthan. The Rajgarh tehsil is surrounded by Haryana in the East, Jhunjhunu district in the South Bhadra tehsil in the North and Taranagar and Churu tehsils in the west. It has geographical area of 220177 ha. Total cultivated area is 196923 ha out of which 18211 ha area is under tube well irrigation.

The mean annual rainfall of the area is about 350 mm, which is mainly received in rainy season (August to September) and the annual humidity of the area is 50-65 per cent. The main source of irrigation is ground water.

Seventy water samples were also collected from the tube wells being used for irrigating the fields from the study area in 2002-03. The ground water samples were collected by running the tube wells. The samples were collected in plastic bottles of 1 liter, which are first ringed with water to be sampled. The bottles were carefully corked, properly labelled and brought to the laboratory for further analysis. The water samples were analysed for pH, EC, Cationic and anionic composition by standard methods (Richards , 1954) of analysis (Table 1).


Results and Discussion
The water samples of study area were analysed for EC, pH, ionic composition i.e. cations (calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium), anions (carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride and sulphate). The calculated values of SAR, RSC, pHc and Adj. SAR were also determined. The data related to the chemical analysis of the irrigation waters are presented in Table 1.


the pH of irrigation waters of Rajgarh tehsil varied from 8.0 to 9.1 with an average value of 8.60. EC ranged between 1.70 to 14.10dSm-1
The data presented in Table-1 revealed that the soluble cations like Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+ of the irrigation waters of Rajgarh tehsil ranged from 0.70 to 8.6, 2.3 to 55.8, 10.6 to 84.2 and 0.2 to 0.5 meL-1, respectively. It is evident from the data given in Table-1 that the soluble anions like Cl-, SO42-, CO32- and HCO3- in these irrigation waters varied from 7.00 to 101.8, 1.01 to 13.28, 0.2 to 3.5 and 2.7 to 13.0 meL-1, respectively. the SAR of irrigation water varied from 6.0 to 39.3.
The RSC indicates about the excess of carbonates and bicarbonates over calcium and magnesium in irrigation waters. The data presented in Table-1 revealed that the RSC values of irrigation waters varied from negative to 6.7 meL-1.
5.3.1 pHc and Adj. SAR values which are calculated ranged 6.17-7.45 and 15.3 to 83.7 respectively. According to Gupta (1979) these waters fell under 10 groups (Table no.2), on the basis of EC and Adj. SAR about 30 per cent waters are rated A5C4 followed by A3C2 (17.1%) and A4C3 (15.7%), respectively.
In Table No. 3 classification was based on EC, SAR and RSC about 53 per cent water fell under high SAR saline and marginally alkali categories, respectively in lower to medium salinity and alkalinity problem , semi-tolerant crops can be grown with good drainage and high salinity and alkalinity waters are not suitable for irrigation only tolerant crops can be grown
Reference
Ayers, R.S. and Westcot, D.W. (1976). Water quality for agriculture, Irrigation and Drainage paper, 29, FAO, Rome, 97 p.

Gupta, I. C. (1979). A new classification and evaluation of quality of irrigation water for arid and semi-arid zones of India. Trans. 1std. & Ucds, 4 (2) : 6 – 12.
Lal, P. and Singh, K.S. (1974). A comparative study of the effect of qualities of irrigation water on different soils. J. Indian Soc. Soil. Sci., 22 : 19 – 25.

Lal, P.; Verma, B.L.; Singhania, R.A. and Sharma, Y. (1998). Quality of underground irrigation waters of Bikaner district of Rajasthan and their effect on soil properties. J. Indian Soc. Soil. Sci., 46 (1) : 119 – 123.

Puntamkar, S.S.; Sharma, O.P. and Seth, S.B. (1967). Utilization of underground water for irrigation in the district of Jaisalmer. Symp. Natural Resources of Rajasthan Univ. of Jodhpur, Jodhpur, C – 6.

Rhodes, J.D. (1972). Quality of water for irrigation. Soil Sci., 113 : 277 – 284.

Sharma, D.R. and Mondal, R.C. (1981). Case study of sodic hazard of irrigation water. J. Indian Soc. Soil. Sci., 29 (2) : 270 – 273.

Vyas, K.K.; Singhania, R.A.; Singh, S.D.; Gupta, P.K.; Yadav, B.L.; Bohra, M.L. and Kameriya (1993). Irrigation water and quality of Bassi, Dausa, Dudu, Phagi and Sambhar tehsils of Jaipur district. Bhujal News. 8 : 41 – 43.

Table SW 1.1 : Range of chemical characteristics of tube wells/open well water of Rajgarh tehsil of Churu District
Chemical Characteristics Water(70) Soil ( 53 )
pH
EC (dSm-1)
Ca+2 (meL-1)
Mg+2 (meL-1)
Na+ (meL-1)
K+ (meL-1)
CO3 –2 + HCO3-1 (meL-1)
Cl-1 (meL-1)
SO4-2 (meL-1)
RSC (meL-1)
SAR
Adj. SAR
Fluoride ( mg L-1)
Nitrate ( mg L-1)
SSP
Mg/Ca
Water table (m)
*No. of samples tested ** Figures in parenthesis indicate average values
Table SW 1. 2 : Distribution (per cent) of water samples in different range of EC and RSC in Kheenwasar and Merta tehsils .

RSC
(meL-1) EC (dSm-1)
< 1 1-2 2-3 3-4 >4 Total
Kheenwasar tehsil
<2.5 17.1 12.9 32.9 14.2 22.9 100.0
Merta tehsil
<2.5 - 30.0 20.0 18.3 30.0 98.3
2.5-5.0 - - - 1.7 - 1.7


Table -1 Chemical characteristics of underground irrigation waters of Rajgarh tehsil

Symbol used pH EC (dSm-1) Cations (meL-1) Anions (meL-1) SAR RSC (meL-1) pHc Adj SAR
Ca2+ Mg2+ Na+ K+ HCO3- CO32- Cl- SO42-
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15)
Sa-1 9.0 7.2 3.5 8.6 60.4 0.48 13.0 2.0 51.4 6.5 24.6 2.9 6.47 72.2
Sa-2 9.0 6.5 2.8 7.7 54.7 0.29 10.6 2.2 48.0 4.6 23.8 2.3 6.77 62.8
Bh-1 8.8 7.3 3.8 9.3 60.2 0.18 10.2 0.4 49.6 13.2 23.6 -- 6.77 62.1
Bh-2 8.9 10.3 7.3 11.9 84.2 0.18 7.2 0.4 88.3 7.0 28.1 -- 6.57 79.4
Ban 8.7 7.0 3.9 9.1 57.0 0.40 6.3 0.6 53.2 10.1 22.4 -- 6.87 56.8
Rab 8.6 4.7 3.3 9.7 33.8 0.23 14.7 1.4 20.0 10.3 13.3 3.1 6.47 39.0
Bud-1 8.4 1.7 3.0 3.2 10.6 0.13 8.4 0.5 7.0 1.1 6.0 2.7 6.85 15.4
Bud-2 8.5 2.1 2.6 2.5 15.8 0.13 9.0 0.5 10.1 1.4 9.9 4.4 7.05 23.3
Na-1 9.0 6.4 2.9 9.4 52.5 0.15 10.9 3.5 48.0 2.5 21.3 7.1 6.47 62.3
Na-2 8.5 6.6 3.0 8.0 55.0 0.24 11.5 1.2 50.7 2.8 23.5 3.7 6.77 61.8
Bab 8.8 5.0 2.3 8.0 39.6 0.14 10.0 1.5 35.9 2.6 17.5 1.2 6.77 46.1
Ja 9.1 3.7 2.6 6.0 28.4 0.03 8.6 0.6 25.4 2.4 13.7 0.6 6.84 35.1
Nrp-1 9.0 2.4 2.7 5.7 15.5 0.05 8.0 0.3 13.6 2.0 7.6 2.6 6.85 19.4
Di 9.1 2.2 2.1 5.3 14.7 0.03 7.2 0.5 12.4 1.8 7.6 0.3 6.85 19.5
Ham-1 8.4 5.7 2.4 7.9 46.9 0.08 8.5 0.4 44.3 4.0 20.7 -- 6.87 52.5
Ham-2 8.9 5.4 2.7 7.6 44.6 0.08 8.0 1.1 42.0 3.8 24.3 -- 6.77 63.9
Ds 8.8 6.0 2.5 9.0 49.0 0.05 7.5 0.6 47.6 4.8 20.5 -- 6.87 51.9
Ap-1 8.9 7.0 3.1 8.7 59.5 0.04 6.5 0.8 58.4 5.6 26.5 -- 6.87 67.2
Ap-2 8.2 7.0 1.5 3.9 64.5 0.26 5.3 1.0 56.0 7.7 39.3 0.9 7.27 83.8
Tp-1 8.5 1.9 2.9 3.5 13.5 0.04 6.5 0.7 10.0 2.7 8.5 -- 6.85 17.2
Tp-2 8.6 1.9 2.5 3.0 14.0 0.04 7.2 0.5 9.8 2.0 7.0 1.8 7.15 18.4
Th 8.3 2.4 4.5 4.7 15.0 0.04 7.9 0.5 13.6 2.2 9.98 -- 6.90 17.5
 
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15)
Ch 8.4 3.2 3.4 6.6 22.3 0.05 7.1 0.4 21.7 3.1 10.4 0.5 6.90 33.8
Na-1 8.8 3.2 2.6 6.8 22.6 0.03 7.8 0.5 20.3 3.4 12.7 0.9 6.94 37.1
Na-2 8.6 3.0 2.4 4.4 23.4 0.05 5.8 0.3 21.1 3.0 7.9 -- 6.90 31.8
Bs-1 8.8 2.0 1.7 3.9 14.4 0.03 5.9 0.5 11.7 2.0 9.5 0.8 7.15 17.9
Bs-2 8.8 2.5 1.9 5.4 18.0 0.06 7.0 0.3 15.4 2.6 13.8 -- 6.90 23.7
Rp-1 8.9 2.4 1.8 2.5 20.2 0.06 7.6 0.7 13.7 2.3 13.8 4.0 7.15 31.1
Rp-2 9.0 2.4 1.7 2.5 19.9 0.04 8.2 0.7 13.1 2.1 14.9 4.7 7.05 32.5
Beb 8.9 4.4 2.8 7.6 34.0 0.03 10.6 1.0 28.6 4.2 21.3 1.2 6.74 39.7
Hp 9.0 4.3 1.5 4.6 37.1 0.03 12.0 0.8 25.9 4.5 19.7 6.7 6.84 54.6
Be 8.8 4.8 2.7 5.7 40.2 0.07 10.2 0.9 32.6 4.9 23.2 3.7 6.87 49.8
Sak 8.5 6.9 4.3 8.0 57.2 0.04 6.6 1.1 55.8 6.0 21.4 -- 6.87 58.6
Jp 8.9 6.7 4.4 8.6 54.4 0.04 8.4 1.1 51.7 6.2 11.1 -- 6.77 56.3
Bk-1 9.0 2.7 1.8 5.0 20.4 0.05 8.6 0.7 15.1 2.8 9.3 -- 7.20 37.6
Bk-2 9.1 2.3 0.7 2.3 20.0 0.04 8.4 1.1 11.4 2.1 22.3 0.2 6.70 25.1
Bj-1 8.9 4.8 1.7 6.2 40.4 0.18 6.4 0.7 38.0 3.3 19.1 -- 6.97 49.4
Bj-2 8.9 7.1 3.3 10.3 57.9 0.26 11.0 1.1 52.6 7.0 20.4 -- 6.77 58.5
Raj-1 8.7 6.1 2.7 10.2 48.4 0.23 9.8 0.7 42.5 8.5 13.5 -- 6.77 50.3
Kh-1 8.6 2.3 1.0 3.0 19.0 0.10 6.0 0.8 12.3 4.0 12.9 2.8 7.15 30.3
Kh-2 9.1 2.3 1.1 3.1 18.7 0.04 5.0 0.7 13.1 4.1 39.3 1.5 7.45 25.3
Nm-1 8.8 2.3 1.6 5.2 16.4 0.04 6.2 0.5 14.2 2.3 8.9 -- 6.85 22.7
Nm-2 8.9 2.4 1.9 5.1 14.9 0.08 6.0 0.7 14.3 2.4 8.9 0.2 6.85 20.3
Bec 8.5 6.5 1.8 6.6 57.0 0.15 10.4 1.0 46.1 7.6 28.5 3.0 6.87 72.1
Bac 8.6 2.2 2.0 6.8 13.2 0.05 6.6 1.3 12.0 2.1 6.3 -- 6.85 16.1
Gl-1 8.2 5.7 1.9 7.6 47.1 0.36 6.6 0.5 44.3 5.8 21.7 -- 6.87 54.9
Gl-2 8.4 5.9 3.1 8.8 47.0 0.45 6.0 0.6 46.8 5.9 17.2 -- 6.75 13.1
 
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15)
Dk-1 8.6 3.5 1.6 5.2 28.1 0.15 7.1 0.7 23.9 3.2 15.3 1.0 6.90 38.2
Dk-2 8.8 3.4 1.6 4.8 27.9 0.12 8.5 1.0 21.7 3.1 15.6 3.1 6.80 40.7
Jsp-1 8.6 3.0 1.6 3.7 24.9 0.07 8.2 0.9 18.6 2.5 15.4 3.8 7.20 33.8
Gu-1 8.7 2.1 1.1 2.3 17.6 0.04 4.6 0.4 13.9 2.1 13.5 1.6 7.45 26.4
Gu-2 8.9 2.0 0.7 2.7 16.6 0.03 4.4 0.6 13.0 2.0 12.7 1.6 7.05 30.0
Dm 8.4 3.7 2.8 4.9 29.7 0.02 6.3 0.8 27.0 3.4 15.2 -- 6.94 37.3
Bal-1 8.8 2.5 1.5 3.9 19.8 0.03 6.5 0.6 15.7 2.5 12.1 1.7 7.15 27.2
Bal-2 8.6 4.8 1.6 4.0 42.7 0.15 7.2 0.4 35.4 5.4 25.5 2.0 7.27 54.4
Nrp-2 8.7 2.4 2.4 4.0 17.8 0.04 6.1 0.5 15.0 2.6 10.0 0.2 6.85 25.5
Bgs-1 8.9 2.0 1.4 3.2 15.4 0.04 6.5 0.6 10.7 2.2 10.2 2.5 7.15 22.2
Bgs-2 8.9 2.0 1.3 3.0 15.9 0.04 6.8 0.5 10.8 2.1 10.8 3.0 7.15 24.5
Gag 8.1 4.0 4.2 11.2 25.5 0.12 5.5 0.3 34.0 1.2 9.3 -- 6.84 23.7
Sad 8.6 11.2 8.6 35.7 68.0 0.31 6.0 0.4 104.2 2.0 14.8 -- 6.27 46.6
Bhk 8.2 14.1 20.8 55.8 64.5 0.32 7.4 0.2 131.1 2.7 11.1 -- 6.17 35.9
Kub 8.4 6.2 2.4 7.9 51.8 0.13 5.1 0.8 53.8 2.5 23.2 -- 7.17 52.8
Bn 8.4 4.7 3.4 8.2 36.0 0.11 4.0 0.7 42.0 1.0 14.9 -- 7.17 32.1
Ban 8.7 2.3 1.1 2.6 19.5 0.12 6.6 0.7 14.4 1.6 14.3 3.6 7.15 32.2
Ls 8.1 10.5 7.6 27.2 70.7 0.20 6.0 0.9 95.0 3.1 18.4 -- 6.39 44.0
Sdm 8.0 3.3 2.6 9.6 20.7 0.50 5.9 0.4 17.8 9.3 8.4 -- 6.80 21.9
Dhb 8.6 2.1 2.1 2.6 16.2 0.11 4.1 0.9 10.4 5.6 10.6 2.3 7.45 30.6
Nc 8.3 4.2 3.7 10.3 28.3 0.12 8.7 1.5 30.6 1.6 10.7 -- 6.74 28.5
Bla 8.3 5.3 1.9 8.3 43.0 0.50 2.7 0.5 46.2 5.4 19.4 -- 7.17 44.0
Rgb 8.4 8.8 5.0 21.4 60.7 0.21 6.4 0.6 80.6 1.7 16.1 -- 6.39 48.6
Min 8.0 1.7 0.7 2.3 10.6 0.2 2.7 t 7.0 1.0 6.0 Neg 6.17 15.3
Max 9.1 14.1 8.6 55.8 84.2 0.5 13.0 3.5 131.1 13.3 39.3 6.7 7.45 83.7
SD 0.3 2.6 2.6 7.9 18.6 0.1 2.2 0.5 24.7 2.5 7.2 1.7 0.3 17.3

Table-2 Water quality classification according to Gupta (1986)

S.No. Class No. of samples Percentage of samples
1. Low salinity and normal water C2S1 13 18.57
2. Low salinity and low sodicity water C2S2 13 18.57
3. Medium salinity and normal water C3S1 3 4.28
4. Medium salinity and low sodicity water C3S2 12 17.14
5. Medium sodicity C3S3 4 5.71
6. High salinity and low sodicity water C4S2 5 7.14
7. High salinity and medium sodicity water C4S3 15 21.42
8. High salinity and high sodicity water C4S4 1 7.42
9. Very high salinity and low sodicity water C5S2 2 2.86
10. Very high salinity and medium sodicity water C5S3 2 2.86





Table -3 Villages under different categories of water qualities in Rajgarh tehsil

S.No. Water Quality Percentage of samples
1. Good
(EC<2dSm-1, SAR<10 & RSC<2.5 meL-1)
2.85
2. Marginally saline
(EC 2-4 dSm-1, SAR<10 & RSC<2.5 meL-1)
28.57
3. Saline
(EC> 4 dSm-1, SAR<10 & RSC<2.5 meL-1)
1.42
4. High-SAR-Saline
(EC>4 dSm-1, SAR>10 & RSC<2.5 meL-1) 52.85
5. Marginali Alkali
(EC<4 dSm-1 SAR < 10 & RSC 2.5 – 4.0 meL-1)
10.00
6. High Alkali
(EC variable, SAR > 10 & RSC > 4 meL-1)
4.28








 
NATIONAL FERTILIZERS LIMITED


Name : Ram Kishor
Father’s Name : Sh. Dayanand
Date of Birth : 14th Oct.,1978
Permanent Address : Village Post-Hamirwas
Tehsil.- Rajgarh,
Distt. - Churu-331305 (Raj)
Phone No. : 01559-264313
e-mail address : ramkishormehra@rediffmail.com
Discipline : Marketing, code No. -08
Category : SC(2)
Centre & Code : Delhi Code No. 07

Academic Qualification :

S.No. Name of Exam. Institution Board/Uni. Year of Passing Percentage
1 M.Sc. (Ag.)
Soil Science & Agril. Chem. College of Agriculture
Bikaner Rajasthan
Agriculture Uni.
Bikaner 2003 3.04/4.00
68.50%
2 B.Sc. (Ag)
Hons. Rajasthan
College of Agriculture
Udaiur Rajasthan
Agriculture Uni.
Bikaner 2000 58.40%
3 Hr. Secondary Govt. School, Hamirwas Board of Sec. Education Ajmer 1996 68.70%
4 Secondary Govt. School, Hamirwas Board of Sec. Education Ajmer 1994 67.80%

Research Work : "Salinity and Alkalinity Indices of Soils
Irrigated with Saline water in Rajgarh Tehsil of Churu District (Rajasthan)"
Experience : 1. 45 days Rural Agriculture work experience in
Rajasthan under R.C.A. Udaipur
2. Primary Knowledge of Cmputer application.
Enclosures : 1.SC certificate


Date:21-07-2004
Place:Hamirwas Ram Kishor

Advt. No. NFL/CO/HRD//2004

Salinity and Alkalinity Indices of Soils in Rajgarh Tehsil of Churu District (Rajasthan)

Ram Kishor and B.L. Verma


Department of Soil Science and Agril. Chemistry,
Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner -334006 (Raj.)

Summary

Seventy surface soil samples (0-30 cm depth) were collected from different villages of Rajgarh tehsil and soils were analysed for textural separates, chemical characteristics and determination of their salinity and alkalinity indices. The majority of soils of the tract were found sandy in nature and their texture varied from sandy to sandy loam. On the basis of salinity (1.96) and alkalinity (2.77) indices, soils of the tract were found to have mild salinity and moderately alkalinity problems. The soils of Rajgarh tehsil were classified into five groups according to salinity and alkalinity hazards (Sehgal et al., 1987). Sallt tolerant crops can be grown with 25% higher seed rate and recommended dose of N and P alongwith 5–10 t FYM/ha. Periodic monitoring of salt accumulation in soil and addition of gypsum as per GR and RSC neutralization of Soil is essential.

Salt affected soils develop under the effect of electrolytes which may accumulate in rocks, water and soil layers and have a substantial influence on the soil properties. The salanization and alkalization of soils, which is the results of such effects have been well known for a long time in the different parts of the world, particularly in arid regions, constituting a hazards, especially to irrigated lands.
Soil reaction (pH), electrical conductivity (EC) and other properties of soil have marked effects on plant growth. The most important constituent in soil is organic matter, an appreciable amount of it in soil tremendously increase soil fertility. Decay of organic metter release nitrogen, phosphorus and other mineral nutrients in available form to the plants. Organic carbon is positively correlated with total available and ammonical nitrogen in all soil groups
(Verma et al., 1980).
The soil problems of Rajasthan state and its vital role in national economy had been recognized since 1952. For the better utilization of land resources and to tackle soil problems necessity of soil research was felt, but soil survey and soil research were initiated only after the recognization of the state. The soil survey conducted by the department of Agriculture was general and broad based (Ray Choudhary, 1952; Mathur et al., 1968; Mehta et al., 1970 and Khangarot & Mehra, 1977).
Soil salinity and alkalinity problems in Rajasthan are primarily due to irrigation with poor quality water which are further accentuated by the aridity of state. Ground water in the western Rajasthan had diversity of quality problems.
Experimental
Rajgarh tehsil is located in South-East part of Churu district which comes under Zone IIa (Transitional plain of inland drainage). It is a semi-arid belt of Rajasthan. The Rajgarh tehsil is surrounded by Haryana in the East, Jhunjhunu district in the South Bhadra tehsil in the North and Taranagar and Churu tehsils in the west. It has geographical area of 220177 ha. Total cultivated area is 196923 ha out of which 18211 ha area is under tube well irrigation.

The mean annual rainfall of the area is about 350 mm, which is mainly received in rainy season (August to September) and the annual humidity of the area is 50-65 per cent. The main source of irrigation is ground water.
Seventy composite surface samples (0-30 cm depth) from cultivated field irrigated with well waters were collected from different villages of Rajgarh tehsil during 2002-03. On the basis of revenue records of the tehsildar. The soil samples were taken with the help of spade and “khurpi”. Approximately 2 kg. soil was taken in each polythene bag. Samples were air dried, ground and passed through 2 mm sieve and analysed for Soil texture , pH (1:2) and Electrical Conductivity (EC) . Standard procedures were followed to measure water soluble cations and water soluble anions (Rechards, 1954). Table-1.




Results and Discussion
The textural classes of soils of Rajgarh tehsil were found to vary from sandy to loamy sand, sandy loam and sandy clay loam.
The given table -1 indicates that pH2 values of soils of the study area ranged from 8.1 to 9.3
The electrical conductivity of soils ranged from 0.6 to 3.3 dSm-1 at 250C
A perusal of data mentioned in the table 4.2 revealed that cations like : Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+ of soils were ranged from 1.6 to 6.80, 1.10 to 6.70, 2.90 to 29.60 and 0.2 to 1.4 meL-1 respectively.
The soluble anions like chloride, sulphate, carbonate and bicarbonate affect to the electrical conductivity of soil solution which directly related are 3.2 - 30.9, 0.2-1.7 , Negative to 4.5 and 2.0-10.7 meL- respectively .
In general chloride was found dominant anion in these soils followed by
HCO3-+CO3-2 and SO4-2.
The SAR and SSP were found 2.03-13.95 and 36.59-76.08 respectively.
The soils of Rajgarh tehsil are classified according to the salinity and alkalinity indices as per methods suggested by Muhr et al. (1965) and Seth (1967).
The calculated values of salinity and alkalinity indices of soils were 1.96 and 2.77 respectively (Table-2). From these indices it can be inferred that the soils of the study area having Mild Salinity and Moderate Alkalinity problems.
Further, on the basis of electrical conductivity and pH of the soils as suggested by Sehgal et al. (1987) the soils of Rajgarh tehsil were also classified into 5 salinity and alkalinity classes (Table -3). In general the majority of the soils of the tract fall under the class Vs M (slight salinity and moderate alkalinity) whereas 18.57 per cent soil samples fell under the class S.M. (Slight salinity and Moderate alkalinity).


BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dhir, R.P.; Singh, N. and Sharma, B.K. (1979). Nature and indices of soil salinity in Pali block, Western Rajasthan. Ann. Arid Zone, 18 : 27 – 34.
Lal, P.; Singh, M. and Singh, K.S. (1971). Fertility, salinity and alkalinity indices of the soils of Jobner tract. Raj. Agriculturist, X-XI : 6 – 9.
Mathur, C.M.; Mehta, K.M. and Sharma, V.C. (1968). Soil and land classification in Rajasthan. J. Indian Soc. Soil Sci., 16 : 249-254.
Mehta, K.N.; Mathur, C.M.; Shankaranarayan, H.S. and Moghe, V.B. (1969). Saline alkali soils in Rajasthan, their nature extent and management. Res. Monograph I, Agric. Dept. Raj., 33- 37.
More, S.D.; Shinde, J.S. and Malewar, G.V. (1988). Characterisation of some salt affected soils of Purna command area of Maharashtra. J. Indian Soc. Soil Sci., 36 : 146-150.
Ram, D. (1998). Characterization of soils of agroclimatic zone of flood prone eastern plain (III B) of Rajasthan. Ph.D. Thesis, Raj. Agri. Univ., Bikaner.
Richards, L.A. (1954). Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils U.S.D.A. Hand Book No. 60. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
Seth, S.P. (1967). Indices for diagnosis of alkalinity in soils of Rajasthan canal area. J. Indian Soc. soil Sci. 15 : 93 – 95.
Thorne, D.S. and Thorne, J.P. (1954). Change in composition of irrigated soils as related to the quality of irrigation water. Proce. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer., 18 : 92 – 97.





Table -1 Chemical characteristics of underground irrigation waters of Rajgarh tehsil

Symbol used pH EC (dSm-1) Cations (meL-1) Anions (meL-1) SAR RSC (meL-1) pHc Adj SAR
Ca2+ Mg2+ Na+ K+ HCO3- CO32- Cl- SO42-
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15)
Sa-1 9.0 7.2 3.5 8.6 60.4 0.48 13.0 2.0 51.4 6.5 24.6 2.9 6.47 72.2
Sa-2 9.0 6.5 2.8 7.7 54.7 0.29 10.6 2.2 48.0 4.6 23.8 2.3 6.77 62.8
Bh-1 8.8 7.3 3.8 9.3 60.2 0.18 10.2 0.4 49.6 13.2 23.6 -- 6.77 62.1
Bh-2 8.9 10.3 7.3 11.9 84.2 0.18 7.2 0.4 88.3 7.0 28.1 -- 6.57 79.4
Ban 8.7 7.0 3.9 9.1 57.0 0.40 6.3 0.6 53.2 10.1 22.4 -- 6.87 56.8
Rab 8.6 4.7 3.3 9.7 33.8 0.23 14.7 1.4 20.0 10.3 13.3 3.1 6.47 39.0
Bud-1 8.4 1.7 3.0 3.2 10.6 0.13 8.4 0.5 7.0 1.1 6.0 2.7 6.85 15.4
Bud-2 8.5 2.1 2.6 2.5 15.8 0.13 9.0 0.5 10.1 1.4 9.9 4.4 7.05 23.3
Na-1 9.0 6.4 2.9 9.4 52.5 0.15 10.9 3.5 48.0 2.5 21.3 7.1 6.47 62.3
Na-2 8.5 6.6 3.0 8.0 55.0 0.24 11.5 1.2 50.7 2.8 23.5 3.7 6.77 61.8
Bab 8.8 5.0 2.3 8.0 39.6 0.14 10.0 1.5 35.9 2.6 17.5 1.2 6.77 46.1
Ja 9.1 3.7 2.6 6.0 28.4 0.03 8.6 0.6 25.4 2.4 13.7 0.6 6.84 35.1
Nrp-1 9.0 2.4 2.7 5.7 15.5 0.05 8.0 0.3 13.6 2.0 7.6 2.6 6.85 19.4
Di 9.1 2.2 2.1 5.3 14.7 0.03 7.2 0.5 12.4 1.8 7.6 0.3 6.85 19.5
Ham-1 8.4 5.7 2.4 7.9 46.9 0.08 8.5 0.4 44.3 4.0 20.7 -- 6.87 52.5
Ham-2 8.9 5.4 2.7 7.6 44.6 0.08 8.0 1.1 42.0 3.8 24.3 -- 6.77 63.9
Ds 8.8 6.0 2.5 9.0 49.0 0.05 7.5 0.6 47.6 4.8 20.5 -- 6.87 51.9
Ap-1 8.9 7.0 3.1 8.7 59.5 0.04 6.5 0.8 58.4 5.6 26.5 -- 6.87 67.2
Ap-2 8.2 7.0 1.5 3.9 64.5 0.26 5.3 1.0 56.0 7.7 39.3 0.9 7.27 83.8
Tp-1 8.5 1.9 2.9 3.5 13.5 0.04 6.5 0.7 10.0 2.7 8.5 -- 6.85 17.2
Tp-2 8.6 1.9 2.5 3.0 14.0 0.04 7.2 0.5 9.8 2.0 7.0 1.8 7.15 18.4
Th 8.3 2.4 4.5 4.7 15.0 0.04 7.9 0.5 13.6 2.2 9.98 -- 6.90 17.5
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15)
Ch 8.4 3.2 3.4 6.6 22.3 0.05 7.1 0.4 21.7 3.1 10.4 0.5 6.90 33.8
Na-1 8.8 3.2 2.6 6.8 22.6 0.03 7.8 0.5 20.3 3.4 12.7 0.9 6.94 37.1
Na-2 8.6 3.0 2.4 4.4 23.4 0.05 5.8 0.3 21.1 3.0 7.9 -- 6.90 31.8
Bs-1 8.8 2.0 1.7 3.9 14.4 0.03 5.9 0.5 11.7 2.0 9.5 0.8 7.15 17.9
Bs-2 8.8 2.5 1.9 5.4 18.0 0.06 7.0 0.3 15.4 2.6 13.8 -- 6.90 23.7
Rp-1 8.9 2.4 1.8 2.5 20.2 0.06 7.6 0.7 13.7 2.3 13.8 4.0 7.15 31.1
Rp-2 9.0 2.4 1.7 2.5 19.9 0.04 8.2 0.7 13.1 2.1 14.9 4.7 7.05 32.5
Beb 8.9 4.4 2.8 7.6 34.0 0.03 10.6 1.0 28.6 4.2 21.3 1.2 6.74 39.7
Hp 9.0 4.3 1.5 4.6 37.1 0.03 12.0 0.8 25.9 4.5 19.7 6.7 6.84 54.6
Be 8.8 4.8 2.7 5.7 40.2 0.07 10.2 0.9 32.6 4.9 23.2 3.7 6.87 49.8
Sak 8.5 6.9 4.3 8.0 57.2 0.04 6.6 1.1 55.8 6.0 21.4 -- 6.87 58.6
Jp 8.9 6.7 4.4 8.6 54.4 0.04 8.4 1.1 51.7 6.2 11.1 -- 6.77 56.3
Bk-1 9.0 2.7 1.8 5.0 20.4 0.05 8.6 0.7 15.1 2.8 9.3 -- 7.20 37.6
Bk-2 9.1 2.3 0.7 2.3 20.0 0.04 8.4 1.1 11.4 2.1 22.3 0.2 6.70 25.1
Bj-1 8.9 4.8 1.7 6.2 40.4 0.18 6.4 0.7 38.0 3.3 19.1 -- 6.97 49.4
Bj-2 8.9 7.1 3.3 10.3 57.9 0.26 11.0 1.1 52.6 7.0 20.4 -- 6.77 58.5
Raj-1 8.7 6.1 2.7 10.2 48.4 0.23 9.8 0.7 42.5 8.5 13.5 -- 6.77 50.3
Kh-1 8.6 2.3 1.0 3.0 19.0 0.10 6.0 0.8 12.3 4.0 12.9 2.8 7.15 30.3
Kh-2 9.1 2.3 1.1 3.1 18.7 0.04 5.0 0.7 13.1 4.1 39.3 1.5 7.45 25.3
Nm-1 8.8 2.3 1.6 5.2 16.4 0.04 6.2 0.5 14.2 2.3 8.9 -- 6.85 22.7
Nm-2 8.9 2.4 1.9 5.1 14.9 0.08 6.0 0.7 14.3 2.4 8.9 0.2 6.85 20.3
Bec 8.5 6.5 1.8 6.6 57.0 0.15 10.4 1.0 46.1 7.6 28.5 3.0 6.87 72.1
Bac 8.6 2.2 2.0 6.8 13.2 0.05 6.6 1.3 12.0 2.1 6.3 -- 6.85 16.1
Gl-1 8.2 5.7 1.9 7.6 47.1 0.36 6.6 0.5 44.3 5.8 21.7 -- 6.87 54.9
Gl-2 8.4 5.9 3.1 8.8 47.0 0.45 6.0 0.6 46.8 5.9 17.2 -- 6.75 13.1
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15)
Dk-1 8.6 3.5 1.6 5.2 28.1 0.15 7.1 0.7 23.9 3.2 15.3 1.0 6.90 38.2
Dk-2 8.8 3.4 1.6 4.8 27.9 0.12 8.5 1.0 21.7 3.1 15.6 3.1 6.80 40.7
Jsp-1 8.6 3.0 1.6 3.7 24.9 0.07 8.2 0.9 18.6 2.5 15.4 3.8 7.20 33.8
Gu-1 8.7 2.1 1.1 2.3 17.6 0.04 4.6 0.4 13.9 2.1 13.5 1.6 7.45 26.4
Gu-2 8.9 2.0 0.7 2.7 16.6 0.03 4.4 0.6 13.0 2.0 12.7 1.6 7.05 30.0
Dm 8.4 3.7 2.8 4.9 29.7 0.02 6.3 0.8 27.0 3.4 15.2 -- 6.94 37.3
Bal-1 8.8 2.5 1.5 3.9 19.8 0.03 6.5 0.6 15.7 2.5 12.1 1.7 7.15 27.2
Bal-2 8.6 4.8 1.6 4.0 42.7 0.15 7.2 0.4 35.4 5.4 25.5 2.0 7.27 54.4
Nrp-2 8.7 2.4 2.4 4.0 17.8 0.04 6.1 0.5 15.0 2.6 10.0 0.2 6.85 25.5
Bgs-1 8.9 2.0 1.4 3.2 15.4 0.04 6.5 0.6 10.7 2.2 10.2 2.5 7.15 22.2
Bgs-2 8.9 2.0 1.3 3.0 15.9 0.04 6.8 0.5 10.8 2.1 10.8 3.0 7.15 24.5
Gag 8.1 4.0 4.2 11.2 25.5 0.12 5.5 0.3 34.0 1.2 9.3 -- 6.84 23.7
Sad 8.6 11.2 8.6 35.7 68.0 0.31 6.0 0.4 104.2 2.0 14.8 -- 6.27 46.6
Bhk 8.2 14.1 20.8 55.8 64.5 0.32 7.4 0.2 131.1 2.7 11.1 -- 6.17 35.9
Kub 8.4 6.2 2.4 7.9 51.8 0.13 5.1 0.8 53.8 2.5 23.2 -- 7.17 52.8
Bn 8.4 4.7 3.4 8.2 36.0 0.11 4.0 0.7 42.0 1.0 14.9 -- 7.17 32.1
Ban 8.7 2.3 1.1 2.6 19.5 0.12 6.6 0.7 14.4 1.6 14.3 3.6 7.15 32.2
Ls 8.1 10.5 7.6 27.2 70.7 0.20 6.0 0.9 95.0 3.1 18.4 -- 6.39 44.0
Sdm 8.0 3.3 2.6 9.6 20.7 0.50 5.9 0.4 17.8 9.3 8.4 -- 6.80 21.9
Dhb 8.6 2.1 2.1 2.6 16.2 0.11 4.1 0.9 10.4 5.6 10.6 2.3 7.45 30.6
Nc 8.3 4.2 3.7 10.3 28.3 0.12 8.7 1.5 30.6 1.6 10.7 -- 6.74 28.5
Bla 8.3 5.3 1.9 8.3 43.0 0.50 2.7 0.5 46.2 5.4 19.4 -- 7.17 44.0
Rgb 8.4 8.8 5.0 21.4 60.7 0.21 6.4 0.6 80.6 1.7 16.1 -- 6.39 48.6
Min 8.0 1.7 0.7 2.3 10.6 0.2 2.7 t 7.0 1.0 6.0 Neg 6.17 15.3
Max 9.1 14.1 8.6 55.8 84.2 0.5 13.0 3.5 131.1 13.3 39.3 6.7 7.45 83.7
SD 0.3 2.6 2.6 7.9 18.6 0.1 2.2 0.5 24.7 2.5 7.2 1.7 0.3 17.3
 
Table -2 Salinity and alkalinity indices of soils of Rajgarh tehsil

Salinity (EC2 dSm-1) Alkalinity (pH2)
Normal (<1.0) Tending to become saline
(1.0 – 2.0) Saline (2.0 – 3.0) Highly saline (>3.0) Total Normal (<8.0) Alkaline (8.0 – 8.5) Very alkaline (8.5 – 9.0) Highly alkaline (> 9.0) Total
Number of samples
21 34 12 3 70 -- 22 42 6 70
Percentage of samples in each category
30 48.57 17.14 4.28 100 -- 31.43 60 8.57 100
Index 1.96 (mild salinity problem) 2.77 (moderate alkalinity problem)

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