Compaction of soils is commen form of soil degradation in Panchgangha basin. Hence the study aims to determine the soil compaction for the erosion risk assessment in Panchaganga Basin. The selected region for the present investigation is the 'Panchaganga Basin' of south Maharashtra state comprising 7 tahsils of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. The data regarding various aspects of soil obtained from Government Soil Testing Laboratory, Kolhapur, and supported by intensive field trips. The required data analyzed in standard format and identified the deviation from the standard quality of soil. The results represented into tabular and graphical forms. The problem of soil compaction is mainly found in Shirol, Hatkangale and Karveer tahsils. Soil compaction is mostly found in lower part of Panchganga basin due to presence of fine clay texture of soils, high soil moisture, and highly mechanised agricultural practices with heavy equipments which need the protective measures immediately.

1. ISBN – 978-81-927211-1-7
Proceedings of National Seminar on “Soil Management And Sustainable Agricultural Development”
HON. SHRI. ANNASAHEB DANGE ACS COLLEGE, HATKANANGALE, DIST-KOLHAPUR (MS). 220
DETERMINATION OF SOIL COMPACTION IN PANCHGANGA BASIN
Dr. M. N. Survase, Assistant Professor,
Hon. Shri Annasaheb Dange ACS College, Hatkanangale, Dist. Kolhapur
Abstract:
Compaction of soils is commen form of soil degradation in Panchgangha basin. Hence
the study aims to determine the soil compaction for the erosion risk assessment in
Panchaganga Basin. The selected region for the present investigation is the
'Panchaganga Basin' of south Maharashtra state comprising 7 tahsils of Kolhapur
district, Maharashtra. The data regarding various aspects of soil obtained from
Government Soil Testing Laboratory, Kolhapur, and supported by intensive field trips.
The required data analyzed in standard format and identified the deviation from the
standard quality of soil. The results represented into tabular and graphical forms. The
problem of soil compaction is mainly found in Shirol, Hatkangale and Karveer tahsils.
Soil compaction is mostly found in lower part of Panchganga basin due to presence of
fine clay texture of soils, high soil moisture, and highly mechanised agricultural
practices with heavy equipments which need the protective measures immediately.
Key Words: Soil compaction, Bulk density, Porosity, Soil Conservation,
Introduction:
Soil compaction is the movement of soil particles closer together due to an external
force. It decreases soil pore space and increases the density through either natural or cultural
means. Affected soils become less able to absorb water, thus increase the runoff and erosion.
Plants have difficulty in compacted soil because the mineral grains are pressed together, leaving
little space for air and water. Hence, bulk density of compacted soil increases than non
problematic soil. ( Survase, 2011) The identification and gravity of soil compaction can be done
by measuring the bulk density. So data regarding bulk
density of soil is mainly used for the identification of soil
compacted area. Soil texture and pore space is also taken
into consideration to verify soil compaction analysis.
Objectives: The present research aims to determine
the soil compaction for the erosion risk assessment in
Panchaganga Basin.
Study Region: The selected region for the present
investigation is the 'Panchganga Basin' of south
Maharashtra state comprising seven tahsils of Kolhapur
district namely Shahuwadi, Panhala, Gagan-Bawada,

2. ISBN – 978-81-927211-1-7
Proceedings of National Seminar on “Soil Management And Sustainable Agricultural Development”
HON. SHRI. ANNASAHEB DANGE ACS COLLEGE, HATKANANGALE, DIST-KOLHAPUR (MS). 221
Karveer, Hatkanangle, &Shirol (Fig. 1). The triangular tract region lies between 160 13’ and 170
11’ north latitude, and 730 41’ and 740 42’ east longitudes. It covers about 45752.2sq.km area
and supports 26, 11,547 (2.6 % of state) population. The river Panchganga is well- watered and
agriculturally developed part of the state (Shinde, 1973). This region is topographically complex,
having river valley flood plains to the east and hilly ranges to the west. Climatically this region
haves temperate climate. The region located in rain shadow zone of Western Ghats receives a
decreasing amount of rainfall from the west (6000mm) to east (500mm) (Pawar, C. T. & Shinde,
S. D., 1986).
Database and Methodology: For the present investigation, data regarding various aspects of
soil obtained from Government Soil Testing Laboratory, Kolhapur, and supported by intensive
field trips. The required data analyzed in standard format and identified the deviation from the
standard quality of soil. The results represented into tabular and graphical forms.
Analysis:
Soil Bulk Density: The oven dry weight of a unit volume of soil inclusive of pore spaces is
called bulk density. Generally soils with low bulk densities have favorable physical conditions,
whereas with high bulk densities have unfavorable physical conditions (Chaudhari P.R. et al,
2013). The bulk density decreases when the soil is fine textured. Bulk density is used to calculate
total water storage capacity per soil volume and to evaluate soil compactness.
Table 1. Panchganga basin: Bulk Density (Area in %)
Sr. No. Tahsil
(Bulk Density-
in Grm.
Cubic/kg)
Very
Low
Low
Modera
te
High
Very
High
<1.00 1.00-1.10 1.10-1.20 1.20-1.30 > 1.30
1 Gagan
Bawada 23.08 46.15 15.38 7.69 7.69
2 Hatkanangle 16.28 44.19 25.58 9.30 4.65
3 Karveer 22.64 28.30 28.30 7.55 13.21
4 Panhala 11.76 29.41 38.24 17.65 2.94
5 Radhanagri 17.65 23.53 29.41 20.59 8.82
6 Shahuwadi 9.68 29.03 32.26 19.35 9.68
7 Shirol 15.79 28.95 31.58 15.79 7.89
Region 16.67 31.71 29.67 13.82 8.13
Source: Compiled and computed by researcher.
In the Panchganga basin, most of the areas (78.05%) have below 1.20 Grm. Cubic/kg bulk
density of soil. Only 21.95% areas have above 1.20 Grm. Cubic/kg bulk density of soil. The high
proportion of low bulk density indicates maximum areas have favorable soils physical
conditions. The Shirol and Hatkanangle tahsils in eastern part of the region have relatively low
bulk density because of fine soil texture. On the contrary the Shahuwadi, Panhala, Radhanagri
and Karveer tahsils of western part have high bulk density because of rough surface, course

3. ISBN – 978-81-927211-1-7
Proceedings of National Seminar on “Soil Management And Sustainable Agricultural Development”
HON. SHRI. ANNASAHEB DANGE ACS COLLEGE, HATKANANGALE, DIST-KOLHAPUR (MS). 222
sandy texture and immature soils. There are very few
villages (8.13%) having very high (above 1.30 Grm.
Cubic/kg) bulk density. The soil compactness is confined
in these areas which is the indication of soil degradation.
Elsewhere most of areas in the region have suitable bulk
density.
Soils Porosity:
Soil porosity refers to that percentage of soil
volume which is occupied interstitial spaces of pore
spaces. It consists that portion of the soil volume, not
occupied by solid, mineral or organic matter and
generally covered by air and water. The irregularity in
shapes, size and directions in soil particles leave the pores
between them.
Porosity varies with the texture of soils, shape of
individual particles, soil structure, amount of organic
matter and the compactness in the Panchganga basin.
About 78.45 % areas in the region have above 45.00% pore
space in the soil. The soils in Hatkanangle and Shirol tahsils
have above 80.00% percent soils having above 45% pore
space and remaining all tahsils have above 70.00% area
having below 45.00% soil pore space.
Table 2. Panchganga basin: Soils Porosity (Area in %)
Source: Compiled and computed by researcher.
It is observed that pore spaces vary from sandy soils to clay soils. Sandy soils in western part
have large and continuous pores, in contrast, clay soils in eastern part although contain more
total pore space because of minute size of each clay particle; have very small pores, which
Sr.
No.
Tahsil
(Soils Porosity
%)
Very
Low
Low Moderat
e
High Very
High
< 40.00 40.00-45.00 45.00-50.00 50.00-55.00 > 55.00
1 Gagan Bawada 0.00 15.38 53.85 15.38 7.69
2 Hatkanangle 4.65 13.95 34.88 37.21 9.30
3 Karveer 5.66 15.09 43.40 26.42 9.43
4 Panhala 0.00 23.53 38.24 35.29 2.94
5 Radhanagri 8.82 14.71 32.35 26.47 17.65
6 Shahuwadi 6.45 19.35 32.26 25.81 16.13
7 Shirol 0.00 18.42 39.47 31.58 10.53
Region 4.07 17.07 38.21 29.67 10.57

4. ISBN – 978-81-927211-1-7
Proceedings of National Seminar on “Soil Management And Sustainable Agricultural Development”
HON. SHRI. ANNASAHEB DANGE ACS COLLEGE, HATKANANGALE, DIST-KOLHAPUR (MS). 223
transmit water slowly. In soils where most
pores are smaller than 30 microns,
attraction forces in the soil retain the water
which results in a waterlogged soils and
problem of poor aeration. Thus to the
growing plants, pore size is more important
than total pore space. If the organic matter
added in these soils the pore spaces may
rise up to 60 percent and become most
useful for cultivation.
Soil Compaction:
In the study region more than 29
percent area faces the problem of soil
compaction of which slightly and
moderately compacted soils are observed
in 26.55 percent area, whereas only 2.62 % area faces the problem of high soil compaction. Soil
compaction is mainly found in Shirol and Hatkangale tahsils.
Karveer tahsil also faces this problem where soil compaction is found in 25.81 percent
area. Soil compaction is mostly found in lower part of Panchganga basin due to presence of fine
clay texture of soils, high soil moisture, and highly mechanised agricultural practices with heavy
equipments. On the other hand western part of the study region experience lesser soil
compaction than eastern part, because of coarse texture of soil, low soil moisture and traditional
nature of cultivation.
Table 3.Panchganga Basin: Soil Compaction (Area in %)
Sr. No. Tahsils Slight Moderate High Total
1 Gagan Bawada 9.52 4.76 0.00 14.29
2 Hatkangale 32.69 5.77 3.85 42.31
3 Karveer 19.35 3.23 3.23 25.81
4 Panhala 18.60 2.33 2.33 23.26
5 Radhanagri 13.95 6.98 2.33 23.26
6 Shahuwadi 20.00 0.00 0.00 20.00
7 Shirol 36.36 4.55 4.55 45.45
Region 22.62 3.93 2.62 29.18
Source: Compiled and computed by researcher.
The compacted soils of the region have restricted soil drainage, water holding capacity
and air movement in the soils resulting in diminishing the nutrient uptake capacity of soils. It
has affected on root functions and growth of plants. The adverse effect of soil compaction is also
observed on water flow and storage.

5. ISBN – 978-81-927211-1-7
Proceedings of National Seminar on “Soil Management And Sustainable Agricultural Development”
HON. SHRI. ANNASAHEB DANGE ACS COLLEGE, HATKANANGALE, DIST-KOLHAPUR (MS). 224
Conclusion:
The soil bulk density and porosity helps to understand the soil compaction in
Panchganga Basin. It becomes the indicaters of compaction analysis. In the study region more
than 29 percent area faces the problem of soil compaction of which slightly and moderately
compacted soils are observed in 26.55 percent area, whereas only 2.62 % area faces the
problem of high soil compaction. Soil compaction is mainly found in Shirol, Hatkangale and
Karveer tahsils. Soil compaction is mostly found in lower part of Panchganga basin due to
presence of fine clay texture of soils, high soil moisture, and highly mechanised agricultural
practices with heavy equipments which need the protective measures immediately.
Acknowledgment:
This research is supported by SERB, (DST) New Delhi (2016-17) the preliminary study
project of Soil Erosion Risk Assessment in Bhogawati Basin (Maharashtra): A Geoecological
Analysis (SB/EMEQ-003/2014 dated 19/05/2016). The author is grateful to the helpful
suggestions.
References:
Chaudhari P.R., Ahire D.V., Ahire V.D., Chkravarty M. and Maity S, (2013), Soil Bulk Density as
related to Soil Texture, Organic Matter Content and available total Nutrients of Coimbatore Soil,
International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 3, Issue 2, February 2013
Pawar, C. T. & Shinde, S. D. (1986): “Irrigation in Maharashtra: A Spatio Temporal Perpective”, The
National Geographical Journal of India, Vol. 32, pp. 105-110.
Shinde S. D. (1973), “Panchganga Basin- An Appraisal of Some Aspects of its Agricultural
Geography”, Geographical Review of India, vol. xxxv, 3, pp. 263-76
Survase M. N. (2011), Study of Fertility Status of Soil and Nutrients Recommendations
(Maharashtra): A Micro Level Analysis, Online Research Journal http://www.isrj.net/June/2011