Introduction:
Land capability classification (LCC) is a systematic method of evaluating land according to its ability to support agriculture use without causing long-term soil degradation. It considers factors such as soil depth, texture, slope, erosion risk, drainage, and climate to determine the most suitable use of land. The system helps farmers, land managers, and planners use of land sustainably by recommending appropriate cropping, grazing, forestry, or conservation practices. Land Capability Classification is widely used in soil conservation, watershed management, agricultural planning, and land-use development to ensure maximum productivity while protecting natural resources.
- On the basis of capability or limitations, the lands are grouped into eight classes by U.S Soil conservation service .
- These classes divided into two major groups.
Table of Contents
- Lands suitable for cultivation:
- Such lands have four classes.
- But for the regular cultivation, only first three classes viz, I ,II, III are suitable.
- Land not suitable for cultivation:
- Remaining four classes are not capable of supporting cultivation of crops.
- These lands are used for growing grasses, forestry and supporting wild life.
- Good cultivable lands without any limitations.
- It has no limitations, good for intensive crop cultivation.
- Such lands need only crop management practices like fertilizer manures, crop rotation etc to maintain their productivity.
- Examples of class I soils are alluvial soil of Indo gangetic plains.
Class II:
- Good cultivation land with some limitations.
- It has some limitations such as gentle slope, moderate erosion hazard, slightly alkali or saline conditions which reduce choice of crops.
- Hence require moderate conservation tactics like strip cropping, contour tillage, crop rotation etc.
- Example: deep red and black soils.
Class III:
- Moderately good cultivable land.
- Have severe limitations like steep slope, high erosion hazard, slow water permeability and restricted root zone.
- Fertility status of such soil is poor.
- Requiring special conservation measures.
- Example: shallow red soils, slightly saline black soil.
Class IV:
- Fairly good lands
- Very severe limitations on choice of crops.
- Suitable for occasional cultivation.
- Mainly used for pasture/hay.
- Example: shallow soils, saline soil, alkaline soil.
Class V:
- Not suitable for arable farming but suitable for grazing.
- Stony or rocky soils and pond area where drainage is not possible.
- Mainly used for grazing and forestry.
- Example: Arid and rocky soils.
Class VI:
- Suitable for grazing with some limitations.
- Have some limitations on use for grazing/forestry.
Class VII:
- Suitable for wood land and wild life.
- Severe limitations on use for grazing and forestry.
Class VIII:
- Suitable for aesthetic purpose and watershed protection.
- Extremely rough land, not suitable for any kind of crop production.
- Example: Sandy beaches, river washes etc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_classification
The land capability classes are usually shown on map by standard color:
| SN | Capability Classes | Color denoted |
| 1 | Class I | Light green |
| 2 | Class II | Yellow |
| 3 | Class III | Red |
| 4 | Class IV | Blue |
| 5 | Class V | Dark green |
| 6 | Class VI | Orange |
| 7 | Class VII | Brown |
| 8 | Class VIII | Purple |
Broadly eight groups but five major are described as:
Alluvial soil:
- These soils are formed by the sediments brought down by the rivers.
- They are also rich in chemical ingredients.
- The rivers deposit very fine particles of soil called alluvium in their plains during their long course of journey.
- Alluvial soil is also known as riverine soil because it is mainly found in the river basin.
Black soil:
- Formed mainly from versatile soil order.
- Rich in montmorillonite clay minerals.
- These are dark, fine grained soils.
- Poor in phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter.
Red soil:
- Formed mainly from Alfisols soil order.
- Red soils have high phosphorus fixation capacity due to presence of kaolinite clay minerals.
- The red color is due to the presence of iron.
- These soils are rich in Fe and Mn.
Laterite and lateritic soil:
- Formed mainly from ultisols and oxisols soil group.
- Kaolinite is dominated silicate clay.
- Both occupied 40 mha (mostly lateritic about 25 mha).
- Maximum leaching takes place.
- Formed under heavy rainfall and high temperature.
Desert soils:
- These soils are found in Thar Desert in the Rajasthan.
- This soil is formed from arid condition with practically negligible rainfall. This type of soil is highly pervious and has low density.