Evaluation of Soil Resources for Productivity Through Remote Sensing in GIS Environment

Soil resources of the coastal region of Cuddalore district of Tamilnadu were evaluated to assess the productivity rating for field crops, pastures, agroforestry, forestry and other tree crops. The soil resources were inventoried using remote sensing approach. The IRS 1D PAN merged LISS III data at 1:50,000 scale was used for pre-field interpretations. The soils mapped were evaluated for its productivity for agricultural, pasture, agroforestry, forestry and other tree crops. The texture of the soils varied from sandy to clayey due to the coastal sand dune landforms (72%). Loam (Arasanatham, Srinivasapuram and Mangadu series) and clay soil (Kondal series) occupied 16 and 3%, respectively which falls under alluvium landform. The mean pH of the soils ranged from 6.79 to 8.29. The neutral soil phase (6.5 to 7.5) was recorded in Mahabalipuram, Vandiyampalayam, Padugai, Pulavanur and Arasanatham series which occupied 58% (4905 ha) of the study area. The remaining soil series exhibited alkaline pH ranging from 7.85 to 8.29 (3688 ha; 42%). The study revealed that 71, 16 and 3 % of the area falls under Entisols, Inceptisols and Veritsols, respectively.