Indian Journal of Soil Conservation

Spatial information of physiography, land use/land cover and soils was derived and subsequenty evaluated to assess their potential for optimal land use planning in Longadga watershed of Chandrapur district of Maharastra using Landsat TM and IRS LISS-III data and ground truth. Physiographically, the watershed was characterized into five units namely subdued plateau, pediment, buried pediment, alluvial plain and valley fills. Major land use/land cover identified in the watershed were cultivated land and wasteland with scrub. Ten soil series (Kharwad-1, Girsawli-1, Kharwad-2, Girsawli-2, Madheri, Kartangadi, Panjurni, Longadga, Wandhali and Girsawli-3) were tentatively identified. Soils are deep to very deep except soils of Kharwad-1 (shallow) and Longadga (moderately shallow), clayey with shrink-swell potential and classified as Typic/Vertic Haplustepts and Typic Haplusterts. Physiographic-soil units (land units) were grouped into IIs and IIIs land capability sub-classes, 2s and 3s land irrigability sub-classes and good and average soil productivity classes. The soils of physiographc units of subdued plateau (Girsawli-1), pediment, buried pediment, alluvial plain and valley fills are moderately suitable and soils of subdued plateau (Kharwad-1) are marginally suitable for cotton and pigeonpea cultivation. Soybean was found moderately suitable in soils of subdued plateau (Girsawli-1), pediment, buried pediment and alluvial plain whereas soils of subdued plateau (Kharwad-1) and valley fills are marginally suitable. Various soil and water conservation measures and management interventions in different land units have been suggested for sustainable development.