How can you increase the strength of black cotton soil?
Various researchers, for the past few decades, had tried to stabilize black cotton soil using lime for improving its shrinkage and swelling characteristics. But these days, the cost of lime has increased resulting in increase in need for alternative and cost effective waste materials such as fly ash and rice husk ash.
Is black cotton soil acidic?
The pH of black soil is 7.2 – 8.5. The soil is deficient in nitrogen, phosphate and organic matter but rich in potash, calcium and magnesium. Such soil results from weathered material of metamorphic rocks. It is porous and friable neutral to acidic in reaction.
When black cotton soil becomes dry it will?
The most important characteristic of the soil is, when dry, it shrinks and is hard like stone and has very high bearing capacity. Large cracks are formed in the bulk of the soil. The whole area splits up and cracks up to 150 mm wide are formed up to a depth of 3.0 to 3.5 metre.
Which soil is best for cotton crop?
Cotton is best grown in soils with an excellent water holding capacity. Aeration and good drainage are equally important as the crop cannot withstand excessive moisture and water logging. The major soil types suitable for cotton cultivation are alluvial, clayey and red sandy loam.
Is black soil and black cotton soil same?
Black Cotton soils are black in the colour and also recognized as regur soil. It is suitable for the cultivation of cotton and is also known as black soil. This soil is formed of incredibly fine clayey material and is well-known for its moisture-holding capacity.
Is black soil fertile?
The black soils are also called as regur are fertile because they are highly moisture retentive, more clay content,which responds well to irrigation. The black soils are argillaceous contains many essential nutrients along with some content of humus as well.
Why is black soil good for cotton?
Because of their clayey nature, black soil is much required for growing cotton. Cotton cultivation requires high moisture retention. Black soils are very fine grained and dark, contain a high proportion of calcium and magnesium carbonates and highly argillaceous. It is most suitable for the growth of cotton.
What is the best pH for cotton?
between 5.8 to 8.0
Cotton grows best in soil with a pH between 5.8 to 8.0. Yield decreases are usually not severe until the soil pH drops below 5.5 to 5.2 on sandy loam and silt loam soils respectively, or above 8.5 for western irrigated soils in the USA.