Suitability of Pantnagar soils and their productivity for wheat and maize

Studies on productivity of Phoolbogh clay loam, Beni silty clay loam, Haldi loam, Patherchatta sandy loam and Paderi silt loam soils of Pantnagar farm revealed that for wheat, Haldi loam soil was the most suitable, whereas Phoolbagh clay loam ranked lowest in the series. For maize Haldi loam was found to be the most suitable, whereas Paderi silt loam was the least suitable of all the soils studied. The productivity rating indices (PRI) of these soils for wheat and maize respectively were calculated to be as follows: Phoolbagh clay loam—49.4 and 46.5, Beni silty clay loam—54.1 and 45.5, Haldi loam—57.8 and 54.9, Patherchatta sandy loam—55.7 and 49.1, and Paderi silt loam—53.7 and 22.7. These PRI data indicate that there is considerable scope for bringing these soils to near their 100% of the maximum production potential.