Characterization, Classification and Evaluation of Soils of Churu District, Rajasthan

Soils of Churu were characterized, classified and mapped on 1:50,000 scale. The results showed that the soils of aeolian plains (93.9% area of Churu) were very deep, somewhat excessively drained, loamy sand to fine sand, single grained, moderately alkaline and were mapped as association of normal, moderately and highly hummocky phase of Molasar, Modasar and Dune complex series. Chirai series with its hummocky phase were the other soils of aeolian plains. These were moderately deep, well drained, fine sand to loamy sand, single grained at the surface, loamy sand to sandy loam in the subsurface with fine to medium weak subangular blocky structure on lime-rich substratum. Devas series, occurring as association of shallow and moderately deep phase, had sandy mantle on lime sediment rich in silica nodules. Soils of alluvial plains (6.1% of the district) were sandy loam, occasionally silty loam with medium moderate sub-angular blocky structure and were mapped as association of Masitawali, Saroopdesar and Naurangpura series. An excessive drainage and higher sand content restricted pedological manifestations in soils of aeolian plains, while the distance from the source of alluvia and load of overburden sand governed pedality in soils of alluvial plains. Molasar, Modasar, Devas and Dune complex were classified as Typic Torripsamments, while Naurangpura series as Typic Torrifluvents subgroups of Entisol soil order. Chirai series was classified as Typic Haplocalmbids, while Masitawali and Saroopdesar were placed in Fluventic Haplocambids subgroups of Aridisol soil order. Land suitability evaluation of these soils is described for arid agriculture and other alternate land uses.