Benchmark Soils in Agro-ecological Regions

Abstract

The benchmark soils in twenty agro-ecological regions of the country are briefly explained in this chapter using the established soil series to interpret soils, their physical, chemical characteristics, problems and potentials. This would be helpful in identifying the use of soil resource inventory and classification in optimal land use and production system. In fact, a benchmark soil is widely extensive, holds a key position in the soil classification system and is of special significance to farming, engineering or other uses and focuses on its agronomic concepts for wider acceptability of interpretations and for extrapolation of research data. It is representative of the most extensive soils in major land resource area or agro-ecological zone. This chapter highlights the benchmark soils in conducting soil correlation, standardization of legends, prediction of soil behaviour, agro-technology transfer and planning for further research in soil science and allied disciplines. However, further refinement in its applications using GIS tools is of priority.