Characterization, Classification and Evaluation of Soils of Langol Hill, Manipur for Rational Land Use Planning

Eight representative soil profiles from different landforms viz. high hill, medium hill, low hill and foot hill slopes of Langol hill, Imphal, Manipur were studied. The soils of high hill are moderately shallow to deep and the soil depth increases in medium hill, low hill and foothill slopes. Soils of high hill and medium hill slopes have altered subsurface horizons with horizon sequence A-Bw-Cr whereas some soils of low hill and foot hill slopes have developed argillic horizons at subsoils with horizon sequence of A-Bt and A-Bt-Cr. All the soils are acidic in reaction. Soil pH varies from 4.35 to 5.80 at surface and 4.10 to 5.65 in subsurface horizons. Organic carbon content of the surface soils is high, ranging from 22.1 to 39.0 g kg⁻¹. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soils is low [10.60 to 19.36 cmol(p⁺)kg⁻¹]. These soils are high in available nitrogen content, low in available phosphorus and medium to high in available potassium. The available micronutrients (DTPA extractable Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) are sufficient in all the soils. The soils of high hill are classified as Lithic Dystrudepts and Typic Dystrudepts, whereas soils on medium hill slopes are classified as Typic Dystrudepts. Soils on low hill and foothill slopes are classified as Typic Dystrudepts, Typic Kandiudults, Typic Kanhapludalfs and Typic Hapludalfs. As per land capability classification soils of high (P1 and P2) and medium hill (P3 and P4) are not suitable for arable purposes and require soil conservation measures to check soil loss whereas soils of low (P5 and P6) and foot hill (P7 and P8) slopes are suitable for arable use.