Characterization and Classification of Major Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.)-Growing Soils of Karnataka

A study was carried out in different agro-climatic zones of Karnataka state to characterize and classify the major finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.)-growing soils associated with isohyperthermic soil temperature regime. Four typifying pedons representing the agro-climatic zones viz., the Eastern dry zone (Sidlaghatta), the Central dry zone (Kadur), the Southern dry zone (Kunigal), and the Southern transition zone (Hunsur) were characterized and classified. The soils were generally redder, well-drained with sandy loam surface and non-gravelly or very gravelly clayey texture in soil family control section with weak to moderate sub-angular blocky structure. Soils were very strongly acid (pH 4.85) and low in soil organic carbon (OC 0.58%) in Sidlaghatta to neutral pH (6.88) and high OC (1.48%) at Hunsur. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) was found to increase down the profile with a CEC:clay ratio of low (0.12) at Sidlaghatta and high (0.80) at Hunsur site. The soils identified at family level of soil taxonomy are Clayey-skeletal, Kaolinitic, sub-active, Haplic Plinthustults (Sidlaghatta), Fine, mixed, sub-active, Kanhaplic Rhodustalfs (Kadur), Fine, mixed, active, Rhodic Paleustalfs (Kunigal) and Fine, mixed, super-active Vertic Haplustepts (Hunsur) and in the order of high to low degree of soil development. The finger-millet productivity (district average) recorded is in the order of Hunsur>Kadur>Kunigal>Sidlaghatta. Addressing the climate, land and soil related constraints can ensure highest production potential of the crop in Karnataka towards food and nutritional security.