Soil loss tolerance values for different physiographic regions of Central India

Abstract

In India, a single soil loss tolerance (T) value of 11.2 Mg ⁄ ha is by default used for formulating land restoration strategies for all soil types, climates and vegetation covers. However, this single ‘T’ value does not represent a true picture of soil loss tolerance under all land uses. The objective of our study was to develop adjusted ‘T’ values for Central India using soil infiltration rate, bulk density, total organic carbon, erodibility and soil pH. Soil state was defined using a quantitative model involving different soil functions which were used to convert soil parameters to a 0 to 1 scale. The normalized values were then multiplied by appropriate weighing factors based on relative importance and sensitivity analysis of each indicator. Based on overall assessment, each soil mapping unit was categorized into soil groups I, II or III. A general guideline of USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) was followed to calculate soil loss tolerance for each soil group using effective soil depth. Adjusted ‘T’ values for Central India ranged from 2.5 to 12.5 Mg ⁄ ha compared with a default value of 11.2 Mg ⁄ ha. Use of these values for soil mapping units will improve conservation planning and assist with planning the development of sustainable agriculture