Utilization of remotely sensed data for soil resource mapping and its interpretation for landuse planning of Bhiwani district,Haryana

Visual interpretation of IRS-1A LISS-II (October 1988 & Feb. 1989) FCC (spectral bands 2, 3 & 4) at 1:50,000 scale was carried out for soil resource mapping of Bhiwani district (Haryana State) covering on area of 5099 sq. kim. Based on image characteristics, element analysis (landform, vegetation & erosion) and field traverses, physiography-soil relationship was established. Major physiographic units identified in the area are: Aeolian plain, Fluvio-acolian plain, Transitional plain, Alluvial plain, Hills and Pediments. Area was divided into 34 subunits. Final physiography-soil map on 1:50,000 scale was prepared. Taxonomically, the soils of each unit were classified and are found as: In aeolian plain—Typic Torripsamments/coarse loamy, Typic Camborthios; Fluvio-aeolian plain-Aridic Ustipsamments/coarse loamy/fine loamy Typic/Udic Ustochrepts; Alluvial plain—Typic Ustipsamments/coarse loamy/fine loamy Typic/Udic Ustochrepts; Hills and Pediments—fregmental Lithic Torriorthents/Typic Torripsamments. Interpretation for each subunit was made regarding land suitability for various land utilisation types. It was found that hills and pediments, dunal ridges, dunal complexes and serub-lands are best suitable for forestry and horiculture plantations. Dunal plains and inter-dunal depressions are best suitable for gram/bajra/oilseeds/guar, very gently sloping dunal plain and low lying plain are suitable for wheat/arhar/cotton/sunflower.