Impact of various conservation measures on physical properties and erodibility behaviour of soil

This case study was carried out to test the efficacy of seven different soil conservation measures under 3 soil series in Ghatampur watershed in the Central Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh, India. Forty two samples each collected from disturbed and undisturbed soil (0–15 cm) and sub-soil (15–30 cm) of different soil conservation measures showed that red soils (Samuhi and Lahuri series) are more erodible in comparison to black soils (Aswarmau series). Whereas, erodibility of this area increased from land use capability class II to VII. Soil conservation measures were found effective in reduction of dispersible and erodible soil particles which were arranged in descending order on the basis of erosion index. Conventional method > sowing across the slope in furrow > sanken structure > submerged bund with vegetative > check dam > contour bunding > land leveling and field bunding. Correlation studies of soil erosion indices and soil properties showed that erosion ratio (ER) was positively correlated with sand (r = 0.925**), suspension percentage (r= 0.769**), bulk density (r = 0.669), hydraulic conductivity (0.885), pH (0.531), electric conductivity (r = 0.811**), clay ratio (r=-0.939), silt/clay ratio (r = 0.955) dispersion ratio (r = 0.940*) and erosion index (r = 0.963**) but negatively correlated with silt (r=-0.517), clay (r =-0.922**), water holding capacity (r =-0.805), moisture equivalent ratio (r =-0.497) and clay/moisture equivalent ratio (r =-0.691**).