The small hils are found in here, so the surface is not suitable for crop cultivation.
Abstract | Erosion is one of the complex and detrimental types of land degradation that deteriorates both soil quality and land productivity. Determination of soil characteristics and nutrient status of eroded lands is pre-requisite for restoring their productivity. The objective of present study was to quantify the selected soil properties and nutrient status of eroded soils. The study was undertaken on eight soil series (Missa, Pirsabak, Guliana, Rajar, Balkassar, Rawalpindi, Chakwal and Satwal) in tehsil Gujar Khan of Rawalpindi district. Amongst the soil characteristics of selected fields, pH ranged from 7.36-7.94 for surface soil (0-15 cm) and 7.49-7.94 for subsoil (30-45 cm), EC1:1 was 0.22-0.38 dSm-1 in surface soil and 0.21-0.28 dSm-1 in subsoil, CaCO3 was 1.0-9.22% in top soil and 0.28-9.67% in the subsoil and soil organic matter (OM) was 0.89-1.25% in surface soil and 0.62-1.04% in subsoil. Among soil series, Missa soil series had higher OM (1.25% and 1.04% in surface and sub-surface soil, respectively) compared with other soil series. All soils were generally deficient in nutrients as NO3-N was deficient in 97% surface soils (2.77-5.23 mg kg-1) and 100% sub soils (1.03-4.14 mg kg-1), P was deficient in 95% surface soils (0.76- 1.67 mg kg-1) and 100% sub soils (0.22- 1.22 mg kg-1), Zn was deficient in 100% both surface and subsoils and B was deficient in 85% surface soils and 90% subsoils. These results suggested that fertility status of these soils with respect to NO3-N, P, Zn and B was poor. The characterization of eroded lands provides a quantitative data and on the basis of this data application of integrated soil conservation practices could improve the soil sustainability and crop productivity of eroded lands. Furthermore, this data could also be helpful in developing policies, strategies and programs for the conservation of eroded lands.
Soil erosion is a complex process that depends on soil properties and erosion-induced loss in soil productivity is one of the major threats to global food and economic security. Erosion in excess of soil production would ultimately result in reduced agricultural potential. Crop yields in the Pothwar plateau (latitude 32º 10′ to 34º 9′ N and longitude 71º 10′ to 71º 55′ E) are low as compared to irrigated regions of Pakistan. Pothwar plateau is a large rain-fed tract of Pakistan which comprises of 1.8 m ha area (Nizami et al., 2004). Maize, sorghum and millet are the main crops during the summer season; and wheat is the predominant crop during the winter. Main causes of low production are; highly erratic, unevenly distributed rainfall, erosion, water runoff, and widespread deficiency of plant nutrients. Nutrient loss through erosion is among the most important factors in soil productivity decline (Moyo, 2003). Runoff water contributes substantially to the losses of P, K and Mn from the soil (Ruppenthal et al., 1997). Due to the loss of fine soil particles (along with nutrients) and centuries old crop production without adequate fertilization, the soils of Pothwar suffer with multiple nutrient deficiencies (Rashid et al., 1997). Analysis of nine soil series in Fatehjang tehsil showed that 100% of the soil samples were deficient in N, P, Zn and B for 0-15 cm and 30-45 cm soil depths (Shaheen et al., 2008). Erosion affects a number of soil properties as it reduces organic matter, fertility, tilth, rooting depth and water holding capacity, structure is deteriorated, and texture is changed. Collectively, these properties affect the soil’s productivity potential. Soil fertility decline due to soil erosion and nutrients losses through runoff and leaching is a serious problem of hilly areas as in Nepal (Tripathi et al., 2000). Nitrogen and P are the main nutrients that restore soil fertility (Bertol et al., 2003). The correction of nutrient imbalances improved grain yield and reduced the impact of yield loss due to erosion (Izaurralde et al., 2006). There are some intrinsic and endogenous factors (Carpenter et al., 2001; Tobias et al., 2001) affecting restoration of soil fertility. An important external factor is soil management, e.g. nutrient deficiency can be overcome with the addition of fertilizers. Therefore, balanced use of fertilization with proper moisture conservation practices can be adopted in such soils. The objectives of present study were to investigate the plant nutrient status of the water eroded farmlands in Gujar Khan target areas, and to assess their potential for agricultural use. The results of this study will be useful to the farmer community and agriculture planners.