Reprint - Central Arid Zone Research Institute

Land Resourcesmoisture regime and aridity are dependent on water holdingcapacity of the soil. The analysis reveals that the aridity isaccentuated the shallowness of the soil coupled with low rainfall inthe region. The number of years with drought was found to varyfrom 3 to 6 per decades. The yields of groundnut and kodo milletwere reduced by 25 and 50 percent during the years with large andsevere droughts, respectively. The water harvesting may be usefuleither for late sown kharif crops or for establishment of treeplantations in the region.74 Abichandani, C.T., Singh, S., Saxena, S.K. and Kolarkar, A.S.(1975)Integrated biophysical mapping as an aid to resource developmentin the Indian arid zone (Bikaner district - a case study). Annals ofArid Zone. 14: 285-291An integrated approach to delineate biophysical resource units forobtaining an integrated picture of the potentials of each land unithas been developed in respect of Bikaner district. The area of thedistrict has been divided into ten major biophysical resource unitsaccording to certain homogeneity of landform, soil and vegetation.This integrated information on the biophysical resource units isintended to provide guidelines to the planners to utilise and developthe existing resource potentials of each unit in order to upgrade itsagriculture production and to fix the funds for priorities inallocating developmental purposes.75 Ahuja, R.L. and Khanna, S.S. (1984)Genesis and composition of calcium carbonate nodules (Kankar) inthe different landforms of the Ghaggar river basin (Haryana andPunjab). Annals of Arid Zone. 23: 81-87Calcium carbonate nodules occurring in different landforms of theGhaggar river basin were studied to determine their genesis,composition and distribution. Detailed investigations revealed thatthe depth of their occurrence was variable and not related with thewater table. They were present not in the form of a hard layer but inscattered irregular patches within the pedons and at lower depths.The kankars containing soluble Ca (EC 0.11 to 0.21 mmhos cm -1 ),are alkaline in reaction (pH 7.6 to 8.3). Being calcareous anddolomitic in nature CaO 12.04 to 34.72% and MgO 3.0 to 13.0 %),their solubility parameter (12.1 to 13.3) is found to have a positivecorrelation with pH. the amount of calcium in kankars is alsorelated with the calcium in surrounding mass. From their