Dilip Nalge

A detailed soil survey was carried out at tribal area in Dharni tahasil of Melghat region during the year 2017-2019. In present investigation data on natural resources such as soil fertility and present land use system aspect were generated studied and analyzed. The study covered whole tribal area to identified different landform units to understand the soil heterogeneity as well as the present land use. Twenty four (24) representative soil profiles were selected for sampling and analyzed for pH, Electrical conductivity, Organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium and available micro nutrient (Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu). The soils were neutral to moderately alkaline in nature and free from soluble salts hazards. Soils are medium in organic carbon. Nutritionally, soils in this high rainfall region showed lower content of available N and P and higher in available K, however, medium to higher in available micronutrient status viz. Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu. Nutrient index values showed that available N and P were in low category, OC, CaCO3, available Zn and Fe were moderately high, available Mn was in higher category, however, available K and Cu were very high in nutrient index values in Dharni Tahasil. Thus there is need of proper land use according to capability of land by identifying the constraints for the production of available land. In order to use the land resources optimally on sustainable basis and also adaptation of management practice for increasing the fertility of soil.

The Present study was undertaken in Dharni tahsil of Maharashtra State during the year 2017-19. This area is also popularly known as Melgha t region, which is located in the physiographic unit i.e. eroded valley with the elevation of 316-642 meters above mean sea level. Korku is the dominant tribes inhabited in this region and have small land holding adjoining to forest. The data on natural resources such as climate, soil-site characteristics and land use system aspect were collected. Twenty four spot were selected on different land use system based on single crop, double crop, scrub land and forestland fallow land. Dharni Tahasil received an annual rainfall ranges from 1350-1450 mm. Temperature varies from 34°C in summer to 21°C in winter. The soils were developed on weathered basalt. The soils were very gently to steep sloping with moderately to very severe erosion. The soils are dark reddish brown to dark brown with shallow to medium deep in depth and structure was angular blocky to sub angular blocky.