Characterization and Classification of Upland Soils of Chikkarsinkere Hobli, Maddur Taluk, Mandya District of Karnataka.

Abstract

A detailed soil survey (1:8000 scale) was carried out in 2010-2011 to delineate homogenous soil management units in the Chikkarsinkere Hobli covering an area of 16,873 ha, out of which uplands occupy an area of about 8749 ha (52%). The survey area was divided into three major landforms namely uplands, midlands and lowlands. Based on variation in physiography and landform, eight soil series were identified in uplands. Eight typifying pedons representing the soils were analyzed for their physico-chemical properties and mapping. The soils of uplands are moderately shallow to very deep, well drained, light colored, light clayey texture developed over granite and gneissic parent materials. The pH of the upland soils ranged from 5.6 to 8.7 with a mean value of 7.52, electrical conductivity (EC) ranged between 0.02 to 0.37 dSm-1 with a mean value of 0.12 dSm-1, organic carbon (OC) varied from 0.07 to 1.3 g kg-1 with a mean value of 0.70 g kg-1, cation exchange capacity (CEC) ranged from 4.4 to 57.7 cmol (p+) kg-1 with a mean value of 17.02 cmol (p+) kg-1 and CaCO ranged between 1 to 2 g kg-1 with a mean 3 value of 1.6 g kg-1. Pedons 1, 3, 4 and 6 were classified as Typic Rhodustalfs, whereas pedons 2, 7 and 8 were classified as Rhodic Paleustalfs and pedon 5 was classified as Vertic Haplustepts.