Kasur District, is renowned for its agricultural productivity. However, beneath its vast green fields lies a lesser-known but critical component of its farming success, the diverse soil profiles spread across its union councils. Understanding this soil diversity is essential not only for improving crop yield but also for adopting location-specific farming practices. This article presents a detailed union council-based analysis of soil profile diversity in Kasur District, focusing on how it affects agriculture, land management.
Geographical and Agricultural Overview of Kasur
Kasur is bordered by Lahore, Okara, and India, with the River Ravi running along its eastern side. The district is administratively divided into four tehsils:
Each tehsil contains multiple union councils that vary significantly in soil texture, composition, and fertility due to micro-climatic and hydrological variations.
Major Soil Types in Kasur
Kasur’s soils can broadly be classified into:
- Sandy Loam – Ideal for vegetables and root crops.
- Clay Loam – Good for water-retentive crops like rice and sugarcane.
- Silt Loam – Fertile, well-drained soils suitable for wheat, maize, and fodder.
- Saline and Sodic Soils – Found in patches, often degraded and in need of reclamation.
Union Council-Based Soil Profile Analysis
Below is an analysis of soil diversity in selected union councils of Kasur, providing insight into how local farmers adapt their crop choices and techniques accordingly:
1. UC Mustafabad (Kasur Tehsil)
Soil Type: Silty Loam with moderate fertility.
Key Crops: Wheat, maize, berseem.
Features: The area has good drainage and moderate organic matter. Farmers often use animal waste and crop residues to maintain fertility.
2. UC Theeng Mor (Chunian Tehsil)
Soil Type: Sandy Loam, slightly acidic.
Key Crops: Potatoes, onions, garlic.
Features: Farmers depend on irrigation and fertilizers due to low natural fertility. High sand content leads to fast drainage, ideal for root vegetables.
3. UC Sarai Mughal (Pattoki Tehsil)
Soil Type: Clay Loam, water-retentive.
Key Crops: Rice, sugarcane.
Features: Located near canal irrigation zones, this UC has soils rich in clay, making it excellent for water-intensive crops.
4. UC Khudian Khas (Kasur Tehsil)
Soil Type: Saline patches mixed with loamy soil.
Key Crops: Fodder crops, wheat with gypsum application.
Features: Due to waterlogging and rising salinity, this area requires reclamation measures. Gypsum is applied to reduce soil sodicity.
5. UC Jambar (Kot Radha Kishan Tehsil)
Soil Type: Fertile silt loam with high organic content.
Key Crops: Vegetables, flowers (especially roses), pulses.
Features: Proximity to flower markets of Pattoki has promoted the use of organic practices and crop rotation.
6. UC Wan Adhan (Chunian Tehsil)
Soil Type: Mixed profile—sandy topsoil with clay sub-layer.
Key Crops: Wheat, maize, canola.
Features: Requires deep tillage and balanced irrigation to avoid compaction in the sub-layer. Farmers use a mix of DAP and urea to maintain yields.
Factors Influencing Soil Diversity in Kasur
Several natural and human-made factors contribute to soil variability:
- Proximity to the Ravi River: Soils near the river tend to be more fertile due to alluvial deposits but are also at risk of erosion and waterlogging.
- Irrigation Practices: Areas under canal irrigation show more clay accumulation, while tube-well irrigated lands often have more salinity.
- Use of Fertilizers and Pesticides: Overuse has altered the soil pH and microbiological structure in certain UCs.
- Tannery and Leather Waste: Industrial effluents in certain parts of Kasur (like Phool Nagar) have degraded soil quality over time.
Challenges and Recommendations
Challenges
- Soil Salinity and Sodicity: Around 10–15% of Kasur’s agricultural land is affected.
- Soil Erosion: Especially near Ravi’s flood zones.
- Low Organic Matter: Most soils lack compost or green manure application.
Recommendations
- Soil Testing at UC Level: Farmers should be encouraged to test soil at least once a year to guide fertilizer use.
- Organic Practices: Promotion of composting, green manure, and intercropping.
- Government Support: Extension services should tailor crop recommendations based on local soil data.
- Use of GIS Mapping: To identify and monitor soil types and degradation hotspots.
Conclusion
Kasur District’s soil profile is far from uniform. From sandy loams in Chunian to clay-rich zones in Pattoki and saline patches in Kasur Tehsil, the diversity is vast. This under-explored complexity holds the key to sustainable agriculture in the region. By focusing on union council-level soil management, policymakers, researchers, and local farmers can make informed decisions to boost productivity, conserve soil health, and ensure long-term agricultural prosperity.