Soil water holding capacity and its related properties for brackishwater shrimp farming along Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka, India

Selection of suitable site for aquaculture plays an important role in the success of shrimp farming since it is helpful in proper planning, designing, construction, operation and maintenance of ponds. Soil samples were collected from different locations along Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka and selected physico-chemical parameters were analysed. The values of soil parameters recorded were: water holding capacity: 28.2 to 59.80%, bulk density: 2.03 - 2.27, pH: 4.46 - 6.77, salinity: 0 - 2.95 ppt, organic matter: 1.53 - 5.95% and permeability: 3.16 x 10(-5) - 2.28 x 10(-7) cm sec(-1). Textural class of the soil varied from sandy loam to sandy soil. Correlation analysis showed that the water holding capacity of the soil increased with the increase of silt, clay, density and organic matter. The water holding capacity decreased as the sand, voids ratio and porosity of the soil increased. The resuls of the present study suggests that the permeability of soils tested lie within the desirable range and suitable management practices are to be adopted in the case of sandy loam and sandy soil.