• Manisha Sharma
• R.C. Joshi

The physical and chemical characteristics of soil is significant to assess the nutrients and texture. The main objective of this study is to delineate study area into physiographic units and to identify the characteristics of soil therein. Watershed boundary is delineated using topographical map of the area. Total study area is 30.43 Km2 where altitude is ranging from 560m to 1900m. The study area is divided into six physiographic units keeping in view the homogeneity in altitude, dissection pattern, landforms and weathering processes as seen in the satallite data as well as field observations. The pH in the study area is ranging from slightly alkaline to acidic as it is 7.35 near valley plain and 5.95 towards valley bottom. The organic carbon is maximum at valley plain (2.98%) while it is decreasing towards valley bottom (0.86%). Nitrogen is highest in valley plain (232.7kg/h) and minimum near valley bottom (178.1kg/h).The amount of phosphorus is highest in subdued hills (0.0035%) whereas lowest is observed in the valley bottom (0.0021%). Potassium is highest near valley bottom (0.0201%) and lowest along steep high hills (0.0074%). Observation indicates that the runoff and agricultural practices in the area is responsible for accumulation and leaching of nutrients along the hill slopes. Overall results validate the role of physiography is the distribution of nutrients over the area.

Physiographic unit, Soil sample, Satellite imagery, GIS, Physical and Chemical Characteristics.

"Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Soil in Bhimtal Gadhera Catchment Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 7, page no.729-736, July-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1807830.pdf

"Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Soil in Bhimtal Gadhera Catchment Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 7, page no. pp729-736, July-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1807830.pdf