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भारतीय मानक IS 10317 : 2024

Indian Standard

ससच
िं ाई के सिए प्राससिं िक सिट्टी के िुणों का
िूल्ािंकन — िािगदसशगका
( पहला पनु रीक्षण )

Evaluation of Soil Properties

Relevant to Irrigation — Guide
( First Revision )

ICS 13.080.20

 BIS 2024

भारतीय मानक ब्यरू ो

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
मानक भवन, 9 बहादरु शाह ज़फर मार्ग, नई ददल्ली - 110002
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI - 110002
www.bis.gov.in www.standardsbis.in

March 2024 Price Group 6

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Farm Irrigation and Drainage Systems Sectional Committee, FAD 17

FOREWORD

This Indian Standard (First Revision) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standard, after the draft finalized by
the Farm Irrigation and Drainage Systems Sectional Committee had been approved by the Food and Agriculture
Division Council.

Irrigation is the application of water to soil to ensure that sufficient soil moisture is available for good plant growth
throughout the growing season. Irrigation water plays a vital role in many soil processes. The manner in which
water is distributed within the soil mass depends considerably on the individual soil properties. In rating the land
for irrigation (agriculture), attention should be tsrif given to physical condition of soil which makes the land
adaptable to careful control of moisture. Freedom from undesirable chemical characteristics receives second
consideration and third, the soil properties which affect the inherent productivity are to be considered.

The standard was first published in 1982 to provide guidance in deciding the suitable method of irrigation for soil
and suitable crops for the area in relation to efficient utilization of water. The guide is still useful to planners in
selecting site for irrigation projects. This first revision of the standard has been brought out to incorporate the
experienced gained in use of the last version and to bring the standard in the latest style and format of
Indian Standards.

For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the final value,
observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with
IS 2 : 2022 ‘Rules for rounding off numerical values (second revision)’. The number of significant places retained
in the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.

The composition of the Committee, responsible for the formulation of this standard is given in Annex B.
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IS 10317 : 2024

Indian Standard
EVALUATION OF SOIL PROPERTIES RELEVANT TO
IRRIGATION — GUIDE
( First Revision )

1 SCOPE 2.1.3 Basis for above classification of soil texture are

given in Table 1.
This standard provides guidelines for evaluation of
2.2 Effective Soil Depth
soil properties in relation to irrigation.
2.2.1 Soil depth modifies to a great extent the rooting
2 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
system of plants which is ultimately reflected in
irrigation, crop growth and yield.
2.1 Texture
2.2.2 The standards followed for effective soil depth
2.1.1 Texture is an expression to indicate the
in soil irrigability classification are as under:
coarseness or fineness of the soil as determined by
the relative proportion of the various sized primary
Sl No. Soil Irrigability Effective Depth
particles in the soil mass. It is one of the fundamental
Class (in mm)
and permanent characteristics that has direct bearing
(1) (2) (3)
on structure, porosity adhesion and consistency.
Sandy soils of open characters possess good i) A > 900
drainage and aeration and are usually loose and ii) B > 450 to 900
friable and easy to handle in tillage operation. iii) C > 225 to 450
Clayey and silty soils owing to their large surface iv) D 75 to 225
area possess high absorbtive and retention capacity v) Non-irrigable soil > 75
for moisture. They usually have fine pores, are class
moderate to poor in drainage and aeration and are
relatively difficult to handle for cultivation purpose. 2.3 Infiltration
Proforma for land irrigability classes has also been
mentioned in Annex A. 2.3.1 Infiltration is the downward entry of water into
the soil. It is the maximum rate at which a soil in a
2.1.2 The standards followed for soil irrigability given condition at given time can absorb rain or
classes are mentioned below: irrigation water. It is classified as below:

Sl No. Soil Texture Sl No. Class Basic Infiltration Rate

Irrigability (mm/hr)
Class (1) (2) (3)
(1) (2) (3) i) Very slow < 2.5
ii) Slow 2.5 to < 12.5
i) A Sandy loam to clay iii) Moderate 12.5 to 25
loam iv) Rapid < 25
ii) B Loamy sand and clay
iii) C Sand and clay
2.3.2 Infiltration is a dynamic and quite variable
iv) D Sand and clay
characteristic of soil and can be fairly well
v) Non-irrigable Any texture
controlled by management practices.
class

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IS 10317 : 2024

Table 1 Basis For Classification for Texture

(Clause 2.1.3)

Sl No. Type of Soil Classification of Texture Symbol Range in Percent

Soil

Sand Silt Clay

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

i) Sandy soils Coarse Sand s 93 to 100 0 to 4 0 to 18

Loamy sand ls 63 to 92 5 to 25 0 to 12

ii) Loamy soils Moderately course Sandy loam sl 70 to 92 0 to 13 9 to 20

Loam l 50 to 70 10 to 25 10 to 26
Silt loam sil 25 to 75 25 to 50 0 to 26
Silt si 0 to 50 50 to 100 0 to 26
Moderately fine Sandy clay loam scl 65 to 85 0 to 13 17 to 30
Clay loam cl 35 to 70 8 to25 21 to 40
Silty clay loam sicl 0 to 48 23 to 74 25 to 40

(iii) Clayey soils Fine Sandy clay sc 50 to 75 0 to 8 26 to 50

Silty clay sic 0 to 35 25 to 60 40 to 75
Clay c 0 to 62 0 to 25 32 to 100

2.4 Permeability distinguished as follows:

2.4.1 Permeability are of two types: Sl Permeability Permeability

No. Class (mm/h)
a) Qualitative; and
b) Quantitative. (1) (2) (3)
i) Very slow < 1.3
2.4.1.1 Qualitative ii) Slow 1.3 to 3
iii) Moderately slow 5 to < 20
The quality or state of porous medium relative to the iv) Moderate 20 to < 50
readiness with which such a medium conducts or v) Moderately rapid 50 to < 130
transmit fluids. vi) Rapid 130 to 250
vii) Very rapid Above 250
2.4.1.2 Quantitative

The specific properties governing the rate or 2.4.4 The standards followed for permeability for
readiness with which a porous medium transmits soil irrigability class are as under:
fluid under standard position.
Sl No. Soil Permeability
2.4.2 The permeability depends upon pore size Irrigability (mm/h)
distribution of the soil. Texture and structure of a Class
soil often studied in field for qualitative assessment (1) (2) (3)
of permeability. Concentration and composition of i) A > 5 to 50
salts dissolved in irrigation water also effect the > 1.3 to 5
permeability of soils.
ii) B > 50 to 130
2.4.3 The degree of permeability may be

2
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IS 10317 : 2024
(Concluded)
Sl Soil Permeability class are as below:
No. Irrigability (mm/h)
Class Class A and B : Lower subsoil is at least
(1) (2) (3) moderately permeable or
iii) C > 0.3 to 1.3 permeable layer of at least
6 inch thickness occurs
> 130 to 250 immediately below soil but
iv) D > 0.3 and > 250 within 10 feet (sand and
gravels)
Class C and : Moderately permeable
Soil permeability as a criteria is not applicable to D subsoil or other permeable
deep black soil because of their unique properties. layer of at least 6 inch
Deep black soils (vertisols) which are inherently thickness occurs with depth
slowly permeable due to expanding 2 : 1 lattice type of 10 m
minerals do not qualify for irrigability Class A, they
would qualify for Class B, C and D. 2.6 Soil Temperature
2.5 Drainage 2.6.1 Soil temperature has extensive effect on soil
properties and behaviour. The water holding
2.5.1 The processes of discharge of water from an capacity of soil decreases slightly with rise in
area of soil by sheet or stream, flow (surface temperature. Soil moisture is the most vital
drainage) and removal of excess water from within controlling factor in soil temperature.
soil by downward flow through the soil (internal
drainage). Generally, coarse texture soil drains 3 CRITERA FOR CLASSIFICATION
better than fine texture soil. Drainage depends
directly on permeability of soil. 3.1 Criteria for classification of soil on the basis of
properties (see 2) are given in Table 2.
2.5.2 Standards followed for drainage for irrigability

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IS 10317 : 2024

Table 2 Criteria for Classifying Soils Into Irrigability Classes

(Clause 3.1)
Sl No. Soil Properties Irrigable Soil Classes Non-Irrigable Soil
Class

A B C D
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
i) Effective soil depth > 900 mm > 450 mm to 900 mm > 225 mm to 450 mm 75 mm to 225 mm < 75 mm
(useful to crops)
ii) Texture of surface Sandy loam to clay loam Loamy sand; clay Sand; clay Sand; clay Any texture
30 cm inclusive
iii) Soil permeability > 5.0 mm/h to 50 mm/h > 1.3mm/h to > 0.3 mm/h to < 0.3 mm/hr, Not applicable
[see Note 1) (of least 5 mm/h, > 50 mm/h to 1.3 mm/h, > 130 mm/h > 250 mm/hr
permeable layer) 130 mm/h to 250 mm/h
iv) Available water ≥ 120 mm 90 mm to < 120 mm 60 to < 90 20 mm < 60 mm < 20 mm
holding capacity to
depth of 90 cm
v) Coarse fragments < 5 percent 5 percent to 15 percent to 35 percent to > 65 percent
cobbles and stones < 15 percent < 35 percent 65 percent
(more than 75 mm)
vi) Gravel and kankar < 15 percent 15 percent to < 35 percent 35 percent to 55 to 70 percent > 70 percent
(more than 75 mm) < 55 percent
vii) Rockout crops 40 m 20 m 15 m 5m < 5m
(distance apart in m)
viii) Salinity (E.C × 103) < 4 mmhos 4 mmhos to 8 mmhos to 12 mmhoss to > 16 mmhos
(in saturation extract) < 8 mmhos < 12 mmhos 16 mmhos
(see Note 2)
ix) Salt affected (visual) > 20 percent ― 20 percent to 50 percent ― > 50 percent
(percent of area
affected)

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IS 10317 : 2024
Table 2 (Concluded)
Sl No. Soil Properties Irrigable Soil Classes Non-Irrigable Soil
Class

A B C D
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
x) Severity of alkali ESP (see Note 3) ― ESP (see Note 3) ESP (see Note 3) ―
problem < 15 percent < 15 percent < 15 percent
xi) Sub-soil or substrata Lower subsoil is at least moderately permeable or a permeable layer of at least No moderately permeable subsoil or other
drainage 18 cm thickness occurs immediately below the soil but within 9 m permeable layer of at least 18 cm thickness
characteristics (sand, gravel) occurs within depth of 9 m

xii) Soil erosion status Effects of sheets and rill erosion are reflected in effective soil depth, available moisture holding capacity and in some other factors
shown above. Moderately or severely gullied soils may be classified based on local experience.
NOTES
1 Soil permeability as a criteria is not applicable to deep black soils because of their unique properties. Deep black soil (vertisols) which are inherently slowly permeable due to expanding 2 : 1 lattice
type minerals do not qualify for irrigation soil Class A. They would qualify for being placed in Class B, C and D.
2 Soil to water ratio of 1 : 2 for soil salinity determination is recommended in India and hence corresponding conductivity figures are as under:

Salinity in < 1 mmhos 1 mmhos to 15 mmhos to 2.5 mmhos to > 3 mmhos

1:2 < 1.5 mmhos < 2.5 mmhos 3 mmhos
dilution
3 Exchangeable sodium percent.

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IS 10317 : 2024

ANNEX A
(Clause 2.1.1)
PROFORMA FOR LAND IRRIGABILITY CLASSES

Sl No. Land Characteristic Irrigable Land Class Temporarily Non- Not Suitable for
Irrigable (Unclassified) Irrigation

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5 Class 6

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

i) Soil irrigability class A A to B A to C A to D Further investigation Includes lands which do

needed not meet the minimum
requirements for the other
land classes and are not
suitable for irrigation or
small isolated tracts
(specifying size or
distance from canal) not
susceptible to delivery of
irrigation water
TOPOGRAPHY

ii) Slope < 1 percent 1 percent to 3 percent to 5 percent to 10 percent – –

< 3 percent < 5 percent

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IS 10317 : 2024
Table (Continued)
Sl No. Land Characteristic Irrigable Land Class Temporarily Non- Not Suitable for
Irrigable (Unclassified) Irrigation

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5 Class 6

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

iii) Surface grading No restriction or Moderate Moderately severe Severe restrictions

– –
less than ____ m restrictions restrictions (develop
excavation per (specifications (develop specifications locally)
ha., less than to be developed specifications
____m average locally) locally)
cut and fill
DRAINAGE
iv) Outlets Suitable outlets Suitable outlets Suitable outlets No drainage outlets Further investigation
available available available available needed

v) Surface Less than ____ m Less than _____ Develop – –

of shallow surface m of shallow specifications
drains required surface drains
per acre required per
acre

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IS 10317 : 2024
Table (Concluded)
Sl No. Land Characteristic Irrigable Land Class Temporarily Non- Not Suitable for
Irrigable (Unclassified) Irrigation

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5 Class 6

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

vi) Subsurface No subsurface No subsurface Subsurface No natural drainage

– –
drainage needed; drainage drainage needed. outlets available; cost
or land is within needed; or land Specifications to be of pump off drainage
____ m of is within ____ developed exceed ____ Rs ha
adequate drainage m of adequate
way (nulla or drainage way
rivers) (nulla or river)

vii) Depth of water table >5m > 3.0 m to 5 m > 1.5 m to 3 m ≤ 1.5 m and below – –

NOTE — With regard to items under Topography (2) and Drainage (2) and (3) the criteria will have to be worked out for each project on the basis of local conditions.

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IS 10317 : 2024

ANNEX B
(Foreword)
COMMITTEE COMPOSITION
Farm Irrigation and Drainage Systems Sectional Committee, FAD 17

Organization Representative(s)

In Personal Capacity (D-26, Pusa Campus, Agricultural DR T. B. S. RAJPUT (Chairperson)

Research Institute, New Delhi-110012)

Automat Industries Private Limited, New Delhi SHRI DINESH KUMAR

SHRI NAWAL KISHORE SHAH (Alternate)

Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & DR SANDESH KUMAR JAIN

Technology, CIPET, Chennai SHRI VISHAL VERMA (Alternate)

Finolex Industries Limited, Pune SHRI VIJAY JADAV

SHRI BAJIRAO BHOSALE(Alternate)

Gujarat Green Revolution Company Limited, Vadodara DR ASHUTOSH VASANT VADAWALE

SHRI R. V. LIMBASHIA (Alternate I)
SHRI HARDIK PANCHOLI(Alternate II)

ICAR – Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, DR RANJAY KUMAR SINGH

Bhopal DR YOGESH A. RAJWADE (Alternate)

Indian Agricultural Research Institute - Water DR ANIL KUMAR MISHRA

Technology Centre, New Delhi DR SUSHMA SUDHISHRI (Alternate)

Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi DR KONDAPALLY V. RAMANARAO

Jain Irrigation Systems Limited, Jalgaon SHRI SUNIL LODHA

SHRI ABHIJEET B. JOSHI (Alternate)

Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri DR SACHIN KUMAR NANDGUDE

DR SHRIMANT RAHOD (Alternate)

Mahindra EPC Irrigation Limited, Nashik SHRI RAJEEV DESHPANDE

SHRI ASHISH KUMAR (Alternate)

NITI Aayog, New Delhi DR NEELAM PATEL

SHRIMATI ANURADHA BATANA (Alternate)

National Committee on Precision Agriculture and SHRI ANAND ZAMBRE

Horticulture, New Delhi SHRI ROHIT LALL(Alternate)

Netafim Irrigation Private Limited, Vadodara SHRI SETHURAMALINGAM S.

SHRI MANESH KUMAR PATEL (Alternate)

Nimbus Pipes Limited, Jaipur SHRI ASHISH KUMAR LATH

SHRI HARIDWAR TIWARI (Alternate)

Premier Irrigation Adritec Limited, Nagpur SHRI A. K. PRADHAN

SHRI G. K. KUMAR (Alternate)

Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana DR J. P. SINGH

DR SUNIL GARG (Alternate)

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IS 10317 : 2024

Organization Representative(s)

Reliance Industries Limited, Mumbai SHRI AMIT SHAH

Rivulis Irrigation India Private Limited, Vadodara SHRI GOPI KETHAVATH

Saurashtra Plastics Manufacturer's Association, Rajkot SHRI ARUN ROKAD

SHRI J. K. PATEL (Alternate I)
SHRI BHARAT KUMAR V. SIROYA (Alternate II)

School of Agriculture, Indira Gandhi National Open DR MUKESH KUMAR

University, New Delhi

Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), DR NAGRAJ S. PATIL

Belgaum

BIS Directorate General SHRIMATI SUNEETI TOTEJA SCIENTIST ‘E’/DIRECTOR

AND HEAD (FOOD AND AGRICULTURE)
[REPRESENTING DIRECTOR GENERAL (Ex-officio)]

Member Secretary
SHRI VIKRANT CHAUHAN
SCIENTIST ‘B’/ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
(FOOD AND AGRICULTURE), BIS

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This Indian Standard has been developed from Doc No.: FAD 28 (22372).

Amendments Issued Since Publication

Amend No. Date of Issue Text Affected

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