Taxonomical Classification of soils of Asvaru Sub-watershed, Hunsur Taluk, Mysuru District

Abstract

Soil characterization and classification is crucial to all soil studies, as it is an important tool for understanding the nature of soil along with successful transfer of research results from one study area to another. The proper understanding of the nature and properties of soil and their management based on their potential and problems is important for increasing crop production to the optimum level. For understanding the problems and potentials, detailed soil survey plays an important role which provides adequate information in terms of land form, slope, land use as well as characteristics of soils (viz., texture, depth, structure, stoniness, drainage, acidity, salinity etc.) which can be utilized for the planning and development. The purpose of the study is to classify the soils of Asavru sub-watershed in Mysuru district to categorize the soils into different soil order upto family level of Soil taxonomy Classification and enhance the productivity and profitability of the area. The detailed soil survey was carried out in Asvaru sub-watershed. Seventy two profiles were studied for its different morphology, physical and chemical properties. The subwatershed area was grouped into 75 mapping units consisting of 16 soil series. The soils were shallow to very deep with texture varying from sandy loam to sandy clay. The structure was sub-angular blocky in all profiles with friable consistency. Soil reaction varied from moderately acidic to moderately alkaline and non saline in +2 + + + nature. Exchangeable cations followed the pattern of Ca >Mg >Na >K . The soil series identified in the sub-watershed area were classified under different soil orders (Alfisols and Inceptisols) upto family level according to revision of Soil Taxonomy. Major proportion of the soils of the sub-watershed belonged to Alfisols (Pedons1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15) and Inceptisols (Pedon5, 13 and 16).