Characterization, Classification and Evaluation of Soil Resources in Coastal Eco-system- A Case Study of Gosaba Block (Part), South 24 Parganas, West Bengal

Abstract

Three representative soils of coastal ecosystem of Gosaba block (Part), South 24 parganas district of West Bengal were studied for their characterization and classification. The soils were very deep, moderately well drained to somewhat poorly drained, strongly acidic to neutral in reaction (3.2 to 7.3), moderately - saline (1.0 to 12.5 dSm - 1), brown to dark grey in colour, silt loam to silty clay in texture, sub - angular blocky in structure, low to high in organic carbon content (2.3 to 13.3 g kg - 1) and low in cation exchange capacity [11.9 to 18.2 cmol (p+) kg - 1] and base saturation (45 to 80%). The soils have high amount of silt and clay fractions which do not show any trend in different depths.Among the exchangeable cations, calcium was found to be high in all soils, followed by sodium magnesium, and potassium. Based on the morphological, physical and chemical characteristics, soils were classified as Inceptisols soil order and further, classified as Typic Halaquepts, Typic Endoaquepts, and Fluventic Endoaquepts at sub group level. Three land capability sub - classes viz. IIIsw (54.15%), IIw (16.73%) and IIws (29.12%) were identified and suitable land use options were suggested.