Workshop Proceedings - Inter Islamic Network on Space Sciences ...

Theme 2: Agriculture Landuse
The soil characteristics of the study area were obtained
after digitizing Soil Survey of Punjab (SSOP) maps with a
geodatabase of many parameters like pH, EC, texture and
organic matter. The soil information is presented in terms
of soil association (geographically associated soils) rather
than a true soil series (describing soils alike in soil
characteristics). Current soil data were also collected from
selected sample sites and incorporated into the SSOP
based GIS based on their GPS coordinates. Twenty six soil
series have been distinguished in this study. Soil attribute
data have been compiled from previous accounts (SSOP
reports). Ground water data were provided by
<strong>Inter</strong>national Water-logging And Salinity Research Institute
(IWASRI).
Data Analysis and <strong>Inter</strong>mediate Results
Crops grow best in the locations, where certain soil and
environmental as well as water conditions meet the growth
requirements. Soil pH, texture, salinity, organic matter,
water quality, rainfall and temperature are among the
most important factors that affect crop growth and help
to determine where rice plants would grow best. In this
regard; the following thematic maps of the study area
have been generated, using ground sampled data sets in
GIS environment.
i) Soil pH
The ability of all plant root cells to absorb nutrients and
water from soil is directly affected by soil’s pH. The
optimum pH range for rice crop in the study area is 7.2
– 8.4 [9]. The pH classification for rice crop suitability is
given in Table-1:
pH Classification for rice crop
Highly suitable
Moderately suitable
Marginally suitable
Not suitable
Table-1. pH classification for rice crop
pH values
7.2-8.4
8.41-8.5
8.51-9.0
> 9.0
Using Table-1, a thematic map of the study area based
on pH classification for rice crop was generated as shown
in Fig. 4 below.
i) Soil Texture
Fine textured soils are well-suited for rice crop. The four
textural groups used in this research are mentioned in
Table-2:
Table-2: Soil Textural Classification for Rice Crop
Using Table-2, a thematic map of the study area based
on Soil Textural Classification for Rice Crop was generated
as shown in Fig.5 below:
Fig. (5) Thematic map of the study area based on Soil Textural
Classification for Rice Crop
i) Soil Salinity
Saline soil is the one having an EC of 4 dS/m or more
according to the USDA salinity laboratory [9]. Research
has shown that rice is more sensitive to salinity than
current guidelines suggest; salinity affects rice yield at or
above 3.0 dS/m. Salinity has a negative effect on a number
of yield components including stand establishment;
panicles, tillers and spikelets per plant; floret sterility;
individual grain size; and even delayed heading. Rice crop
is moderately tolerant to soil salinity. At EC 16 or above
yield starts decreasing rapidly. Salinity occurs through
natural or anthropogenic activities that result in the
accretion of dissolved salts in the soil water to an extent
that hinders plant growth. Salt concentration in a soil is
measured in terms of its Electrical Conductivity (EC). The
mean average for EC values was calculated to obtain single
value for soil property. The Soil Salinity Classification for
Rice Crop is shown in Table-3 below [7].
Table-3. Soil Salinity Classification for Rice Crop
Fig. (4) Thematic map of the study area based on pH classification for
rice crop
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