Microwatershed in Chhotanagpur Plateau, West Bengal, India – Evaluation of Sabai grass as alternate farming option

Abstract

Six representative soil sites, two on pediments (Series 1 and Series 2) and four on uplands (Series 3, Series 4, Series 5 and Series 6) of Dwarkeshwar microwatershed in Chotanagpur plateau region were characterized, classified and evaluated for Sabai grass, which can be opted for alternate farming. Soils of pediment were moderately deep to deep and sandy loam in texture, while soils of upland were shallow to deep with sandy loam and sandy clay loam texture. Soils of series 1, series 5 and series 6 were classified under coarse loamy; Typic Haplustepts and Fluventic Haplustepts. Soils of series 2 and series 3 were classified under loamy skeletal; Typic Ustorthents and Lithic Ustorthents. Soils of series 4 were classified under loam; Lithic Ustorthents. Soils were marginally suitable for Sabai grass with major limitations of soil fertility, which can be enhanced to moderate suitability by improving soil fertility conditions with moderate dose of fertilizer application. Economic evaluation shows that under present rate of Rs. 5.0 kg^-1 of Sabai grass rope net income of growers will be Rs. 3500 acre^-1 year^-1 .