Though soil in the coastal belt in the State is highly acidic, farmers have taken care to increase the pH level by applying agricultural lime, said Rajendra Ramakrishna Hegde, Regional Director (South), National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Utilisation Planning (NBSSLUP), Bengaluru, here on Monday.
In an informal chat with presspersons on the sidelines of launching the week-long training on ‘reclamation of problematic soils through aquaculture’ at Krishi Vignana Kendra, he said the acidic nature was caused by heavy rains in the coastal belt.
He said the use of excess water in farming, especially in paddy and sugarcane cultivation, changed the nature of soil. It results in saline contents from the bottom of the soil resurfacing and stagnating in the top layer when the water dried out. It makes the soil saline and alkaline. As a result, productivity decreases.
A study done by the NBSSLUP in Cauvery Command Area in the State in 2013-14, found that paddy yield covering 17,000 hectares in 42 villages declined by 30% owing to salinity and alkaline factors. Its total loss has been estimated at ₹1,250 crore per annum.
The same factor has made about 30% to 35% land in Tungabhadra Command Area in the State not fit for farming.
The issue could be addressed by cultivating tolerant varieties, other crops, by providing rest to paddy and sugarcane for some years and draining out salt contents accumulated, and other methods recommended by the NBSSLUP.
He said NBSSLUP was preparing ‘very fine scale’ plot-level data in 12 taluks of the State under the World Bank-supported Sujala Watershed Development Project.
The mapping of soil in those taluks would help provide plot-level data on soil condition. The study, which was started in 2014, is likely to be completed by 2018.
