Characterization of Some Halomorphic Soils and Their Normal Associates in the Yakima Valley

Abstract

AbstractA study was made of four soils—Naches, a Brown; Fiander, a Solonetz; and Umapine and Ahtanum, Solonchak soils. These occur in close association in the Yakima River Valley of south central Washington in poorly defined zones which parallel the lower edge of the alluvial fan on which the soils are found. Areas of pure soil types are extremely small. Studies made of transects across soil boundaries indicate that materials from which these soils were formed were heterogeneous, and that soil morphology has been greatly influenced by parent material differences.Resalinization has occurred to varying degrees since the beginning of irrigation in the Yakima Valley. The concentrations of soluble and exchangeable cations in the soils vary not only between series but also within a series, chiefly as a function of positions on the alluvial fan.