Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 15: After observing that Ravi-Tawi canal irrigation system of Jammu being no exception to the problem of water logging and soil salinization, resulting in less production, the division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, SKUAST, Jammu delineated the extent of sodic and waterlogged areas in the Command Area with remote sensing, here today.
These areas were identified, demarked and mapped by using Landsat MSS III data and interpreted with the help of digital image processing software using image models and classifiers.
The remote sensing data was verified by assessing ground truth through characterization of soils. It was observed that salt affected soils have emerged in patches at several villages like Dyala Chak, Saini, Tarore, Khokyal and Nagri etc in the districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua.
Meanwhile, the analysis of remote sensing images have revealed that out of the total area of about 75,000 hac under the Canal Irrigation System, 25,000 hac was observed to be either wasteland, waterlogged or salt affected (sodic), out of which the area under sodic soils was estimated to be around 7500 hac.
Experiments have shown decreased wheat yields in affected soils. The farmers facing yield decrease in these areas, especially the low lying areas with water stagnation problems have been advised to consult the division of soil testing. The division of soil science advocates the use of gypsum with proper provision for drainage after assessing actual gypsum requirement through soil analysis in the affected soils.
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