The use of land without consideration its limits will result in disturbing soil from its natural or ideal state. Both the physical and chemical properties of soil can be totally or partly altered due to human interference. The economic man always tries to achieve maximum economic gain without consideration of potential problems. These results gradually in deteriorating soil quality. The aims of this paper are to understand distribution, severity and estimating extent of chemically degraded alkaline soils which affect directly on the capacity of soil and environment in the region and suggest suitable conservation measures. The selected region for the present investigation is the 'Panchaganga Basin' of south Maharashtra state comprising 7 tahsils of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. For the present investigation,both primary and secondary sources are used for this paper. Data regarding different properties of soil and water is collected from Government Soil Survey and Soil Testing Laboratory, Kolhapur and other through field work. Soil analysis has been done and chemical properties of soils are represented by choropleth methods. For this purpose special soil sample data is used. Area of alkali soil is identified with the help of soil chemical and physical properties. Simultaneously field observation and village wise obtained data has been supported. In the study region 46.72% area has covered by alkaline soil. Out of that 31.96% are slightly alkaline and 14.76% are strongly alkaline. Most of the eastern tahsils such as Shirol (94.59%), Hatkanangle (83.33%), Panhala (52.94%) and eastern part of Karveer (45.28%) tahsils have above 40% areas under alkaline soils. As per the risk of alkalinity, the physical, chemical and agronomic measures suggested for the improvement of alkaline soils.

1. Dr. M. N. Survase –
Asst. Professor, Hon. Annasaheb Dange College, Hatkanangale Dist.
Kolhapur.
A.V. Pore-
Asst. Professor, Department of Geography, K.B.P. Mahavidaylaya,
Pandharpur.
Dr. C. T. Pawar-
Former Professor and Head, Department of Geography, Shivaji
University, Kolhapur.

2. Introduction:
 The chemical properties of the soil perform significant
functions in the crop production.
 The use of land without consideration its limits will
result in disturbing soil from its natural or ideal state.
 Both the physical and chemical properties of soil can
be totally or partly altered due to human interference.
 The economic man always tries to achieve maximum
economic gain without consideration of potential
problems.
 These results gradually in deteriorating soil quality.

3.  The chemical degradation is defiantly different in nature
than physical degradation.
 The invisible soil chemical properties transform the soil
from ideal to bad in this type of degradation.
 It makes difficult to supply essential elements for crop
growth from soil.
 Soil ecological activities are restricted by chemical
degradation.
 The chemically degraded soil reduces the agricultural
productivity and sometime it become uncultivable.
 Thus it is essential to identify the nature and gravity of
different types of chemical degradation.
 The acidification, alkalisation, salinisation and sodification
of soils are the chemical problems noted in the region.

4. Aims:
 The aims of this paper are to understand
distribution, severity and estimating extent
of chemically degraded alkaline soils which
affect directly on the capacity of soil and
environment in the region.

5. Database & Methodology:
 Both primary and secondary sources are used for collection of data for
this chapter.
 Data regarding different properties of soil and water is collected from
Government Soil Survey and Soil Testing Laboratory, Kolhapur.
 The same data has become very significant for the soil and water
analyses and for the identification of acdic, saline, alkali and all type of
chemically degraded soils.
 Frequent field trips and observation methods are carried out to find
out the nature of degradation.
 Primary data is collected with the help of various tools like household
schedule by employing the stratified random sampling technique.
 Intensive field work has been carried out for micro level investigation.
 The data regarding salt affected area and waterlogged area is collected
through field trips to the villages where the said problem is acute.

6.  Average of approximate ten soil samples results from
each village in the study region, has been used as
village representative of soil properties.
 Soil analysis has been done and chemical properties of
soils are represented by choropleth methods.
 For this purpose special soil sample data is used.
 Area of alkali soil is identified with the help of soil
chemical and physical properties.
 Simultaneously field observation and village wise
obtained data has been supported.

7. STUDY REGION
 The selected region for the present
investigation is the 'Panchaganga Basin'
of south Maharashtra state comprising 7
tahsils of Kolhapur district namely
Shahuwadi, Panhala, Gagan-Bawada,
Karveer, Hatkanagle, & 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 Panchaganga is well- watered
and agriculturally developed part of the
state (Shinde, 1973).

8. 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). The soils of the region
are mainly derived from the
Deccan trap (Deshpande, 1971).
Pedologically this region has
laterite, brownish and black soils.

9. Alkalisation of Soils:
 Alkaline soils are the soils (mostly clay soils) with high pH (above 7), poor soil
structure and low infiltration capacity.
 The total amount of soluble salts, especially sodium chlorides, is not excessive
(EC < 4 to 8 dS/m).
 Often they have a hard calcareous layer at 0.5 to 1 m. depth.
 The exchangeable sodium content of soil increases in the process of soil
alkalisation and it contains relatively more lime (Ellis & Mellor, 1995).
 Naturally it is caused due to presence of soil sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)
released during the weathering and the man-made causes is the application of
irrigation water containing a relatively high proportion of sodium
bicarbonates.
 Generally, alkaline soils occur mostly in warm, dry climates where low rainfall
levels rarely wash through the soil, thereby dissolving accumulated salts.
 The Alkali soils owe their unfavourable physicochemical properties mainly to
the dominating presence of sodium carbonate which causes the soil to swell.
 Alkalinity problems are more pronounced in clay soils than in loamy, silty or
sandy soils.

10.  Alkaline soil is difficult for agricultural activities because of low
infiltration capacity, rain water restriction, irrigation become
impossible in dry period and problem of waterlogging emerges.
 Plant growth often reduces in alkaline soil, because water and
essential nutrients aren’t able to easily penetrate the soil.
 This can lead to nutrient deficiency and stunted growth of
plants.
 Deficiencies of zinc on older leaves or of copper or iron on
younger leaves often indicate an excessively alkaline soil.
 A main effect of too high pH is that certain nutrients become too
available and toxic to the crop while others become less available
and show up as crop deficiencies.
 In view of this it is aimed to map and analyse the alkaline soils
areas in the region.

11. Table 1. Panchganga Basin: Alkaline Soil (Area in %)
Sr. No. Tahsil
Very
Strongly Strongly Moderately Slightly
Total
1
Gagan-
Bawada 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
2 Hatkanangle 4.76 21.43 16.67 40.48 83.33
3 Karveer 3.77 13.21 11.32 16.98 45.28
4 Panhala 5.88 14.71 8.82 23.53 52.94
5 Radhanagri 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
6 Shahuwadi 0.00 0.00 3.23 3.23 6.45
7 Shirol 2.70 21.62 48.65 21.62 94.59
Region 2.87 11.89 14.34 17.62 46.72
Source: Compiled and computed by researcher.

13. Analysis:
 In the study region 46.72% area has covered by alkaline soil. Out of that
31.96% are slightly alkaline and 14.76% are strongly alkaline (Table 6.2).
 Most of the eastern tahsils such as Shirol (94.59%), Hatkanangle (83.33%),
Panhala (52.94%) and eastern part of Karveer (45.28%) tahsils have above
40% areas under alkaline soils.
 The slight alkaline areas cover in Shirol (70.27%), Hatkanangle (57.15%),
Panhala (32.35%) and Karveer (28.30%) tahsils
 and strong alkaline soil areas cover Shirol (24.32%), Hatkanangle
(26.19%), Panhala (20.59%) and Karveer (16.98%) tahsils (Fig. 6.2).

14. Improvement of Alkali Soils:
 After the assessment of soil degradation risks and
identification of affected region, the next step is to
implement of sustainable soil management practices and
to identify site specific solutions to current problems.
 Various measures adopted and suitable measures to be
adopted for soil conservation and soil improvement in the
region.
 The problematic sites are identified and suitable
economically viable eco-centric measures are
recommended at micro-level in Shirol, Hatkanangle and
Karveer tahsils.

15. These measures are....
1. Opening of drainage at suitable distance.
2. Maintenance of natural drainage system.
3. To provide the funds to apply drainages throughout the affected area.
4. Apply sub-surface drainage in saline and waterlogged patches.
5. Cultivation of salt tolerant crops and trees.
6. Use of adequate and recommended doses of fertilizers.
7. Conjunctive use of surface and ground water.
8. Use of suitable water for irrigation and use of controlled irrigation at
regular interval.
9. Use of Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) in alkaline and sodic soils, Use of
Sulpher (S) in alkaline soil areas.
10. Use of Molasses in alkaline soil areas, Addition of press mud,
Leaching of excess salt.

16. Conclusion:
 The measures adopted currently and to be adopted in feature are
broadly categorised into mechanical, agronomical, chemical,
biological and other measures. Specific sites are suggested to
implement the specific measures. The measures to reclaim the
saline and alkaline soil in sugarcane growing belt need to be
intensify to save the most fertile soils of lower Panchganga Basin.
Obviously the active participation of local farmers is highly
needed and if needed, the rules and regulations need to be
modified and rigorously implemented.

17.  The soils in the eastern plain areas are mostly alkaline,
saline and saline sodic. Lack of natural drainage, use of
brackish water for irrigation, excessive use of chemical
fertilizers and irrigation water, monoculture of sugarcane
are some of the major causes for this status of soils. As a
result the soil fertility has declined and hundreds of
hectares of fertile soils have gone out of cultivation.

18. References:
 Deshpande, C.D. (1971): “Geography of Maharashtra”, N.B.T.
of India. New Delhi, p. 14.
 Ellis, S. and Mellor, A. (1995): “Soils and Environment”
Routledge Publication, London.
 Pawar, C.T., Pawar, D.H., Potdar, M.B., Panhalkar, S.S. (2009):
“Land Degradation, Land Conservation and Improvement in
Panchganga Basin (Maharashtra): A Geoecological Analysis”,
Unpublished UGC Major Research Project submitted to
Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
 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.