Soil resource assessment of watershed towards land use planning using satellite remote sensing and GIS techniques in Northern Karnataka, India

Abstract

Soil resources inventory of Chikmegeri-3 micro watershed of Koppal district in Karnataka was conducted using remote sensing and GIS techniques using LISS IV satellite data. After detailed field study and laboratory analysis of collected soil samples Twenty one soil mapping units were identified and classified up to family level as per “Keys to Soil Taxonomy” (Soil Survey Staff, 2014). Three mapping units belonged to the land capability class III and eighteen mapping units belonged class IV. Taxonomically soils were classified under Inceptisols, Alfisols, Vertisols and Entisols. Soils were low in available nitrogen and organic carbon, medium in phosphorus, medium to high in available potassium, low to medium in available sulphur, micronutrients iron, copper and manganese were sufficient while, zinc was deficient.