Problematic soils brings together in one volume a collection of papers presented at the Problematic Soils symposium, organised by East Midlands Geotechnical Group of the Institution of Civil Engineers. The papers discuss the behaviour and characteristics of problematic soils (particularly those found in the UK), and they also offer guidance on possible treatment techniques that could be applied for their successful engineering.The proceedings of this symposium are split into three sections.

This is a unique book that deals with the problem soils, their constraints and management in the Indian context. The book starts with the introduction on problem soils and the classification of these soils are included there under. In India, there is wide spread occurrence of soils with different types of constraints for crop production. Such soils are popularly called as “Problem Soils”. Cultivation in these soils is not so easy as several problems have to be tackled during cultivation. It may be either soil droughtiness or acidity or salinity etc. An attempt has been made in this book to cover most of the problematic soils in India. The classification of problem soils has been done based on the limitations they possess and the most dominant limitation is taken into consideration for grouping it under a particular class. Here five broader classes have been identified viz., soils with climatic problems; soils with physical problems; soils with chemical problems; soils with biological problems and soils with problems due to anthropogenic reasons. Note: Taylor and Francis does not sell or distribute the print editions of this title in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Soils are neither good nor bad, but some have inherent or acquired characteristics that may or may not suit our intended use. Unsuitable characteristics are considered to be soil problems, soil constraints or soil limitations. Only twelve percent of global land is right for agricultural production without much limitation. Some soils have severe limitations for crop production. These soils are so called ‘problem soils’. Many of them do not have enough fertility to be productive; some are arid and saline; some are very sandy and dry; and some are wet and waterlogged for most of the growing season. The global demand for food, wood, fuel, fiber, medicine and other plant products for the 7.2 billion current world population has created such an immense pressure on global soil resources that even the most fertile soils are losing their productive capacity. We are being compelled to bring more and more unsuitable or marginally suitable soils under cultivation. Unless innovative and integrated soil, crop and environmental management practices are adopted for their improvement and sustainable use, further degradation is inevitable. This book, Management of Soil Problems, identifies the problems and discusses management options in a smooth and reader-friendly style. It will be useful for students and professionals of soil science, agriculture, forestry, geography and environmental sciences.

Management of Problem Soils in Arid Ecosystems examines the challenges of managing soils in arid and semiarid regions. These soils contain low organic matter, are not leached, and accumulate lime, gypsum, and/or soluble salts, requiring special management and practices. This book discusses how to identify problems, reclaim the soils, and then use them efficiently and economically. Water management and desertification in these areas are also discussed. It contains extensive references as well as 40 tables and illustrations.

This book has been written to have full grasp of nature and causes of Land Degradation, methods of evaluation, characterisation and control measures for maintaining its productivity. The vast area of land degradation has been covered in a simple and concise form. The book is comprises of fifteen chapters covering all aspects of physical, chemical and biological processes leading to land degradation under different agro– ecosystems. Physical land degradation leading to soil compression, compaction, soil crusting, slow and highly permeable soils were discussed thoroughly. Chemical land degradation leading to iron and aluminium toxicity, soil acidity, acid sulphate soils, soil salinity and alkalinity have discussed. Equal emphasis has also been given to assess and monitor the extent of land degradation and its impact on soil and water using modern technology–Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS. For management of wastelands, the concept of watershed management based on land capability classification, land irrigability classification and land suitability classification were discussed in detail. Due imphasis was given to maintain soil health and soil quality for sustainable crop production. At the end of each chapter, study questions have been presented for the benefit of the students.

Management of Problem Soils in Arid Ecosystems examines the challenges of managing soils in arid and semiarid regions. These soils contain low organic matter, are not leached, and accumulate lime, gypsum, and/or soluble salts, requiring special management and practices. This book discusses how to identify problems, reclaim the soils, and then use them efficiently and economically. Water management and desertification in these areas are also discussed. It contains extensive references as well as 40 tables and illustrations.

The soils which possess characteristics that make them uneconomical for the cultivation of crops without adopting proper reclamation measures are known as problem soils. For the management of problematic soils, some general principles have to be considered for proper implementation of the reclamation measures. Some soils have serious physical and chemical limitations to cultivation. Physical limitations can be managed by irrigation, drainage, mulching, manuring, tillage, and soil conservation measures such as terracing, contouring, and cover crops, whichever is appropriate. Some chemicals are also added to the soil as an integral part of the reclamation program adopted to improve the saline, alkali and other soils. This book contains 19 chapters on Soil quality and health, Distribution of Waste land and problem soils in India and Jharkhand, Soil forming factors and Processes Reclamation and management of Saline and sodic soils, Acid soils and Acid Sulphate soils, Calcareous soils, Eroded and Compacted soils, Flooded soils, Polluted soils, Irrigation water-quality and standards, Efficient utilization of saline water in agriculture, Remote sensing and GIS in diagnosis and management of problem soils, Multipurpose tree species, Bio remediation through MPTs of soils, land capability land suitability classification, Problematic soils under different Agro-ecosystems, etc