Pseudogley Soils Research Articles

Mobility of iron-oxide associated elements in pseudogley soils; influence of parent material age and land use

Pseudogleys, a colloquial term for some Retisol-classified soils, are subjected to periodic water stagnation beneath their surface resulting in a spatially and temporally heterogeneous redox environment, which produces patterns from the dissolution and precipitation of Fe (oxy)hydroxide minerals. This study investigates the mobility and redistribution of other soil elements, namely metals, associated with reducible Fe (oxy)hydroxide minerals (extracted by citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite) in four Danish pseudogley profiles under forest or agricultural land use and with Saalian-age or Weichselian-age parent material. Of the analyzed elements, a depletion of Fe and Mn was observed in the upper horizons, while Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, and V showed mobility in the matrix of pseudogley profiles, influenced by redox activity, podsolization, and clay illuviation soil forming processes. Further, Cr and V showed horizontal redistribution in the argic horizon, likely due to an Fe (oxy)hydroxide-influenced precipitation gradient along the macropore structures. The influence of agricultural land use suggests reduced mobility of Fe, Cr, and V but not Mn, Co, Cu, or Ni compared to forested land use, which supports greater acidification and podsolization processes. Older, Saalian-age parent material led to more mottled retic properties while younger, Weichselian-age parent material produced glossic and retic properties. The findings of this study conclude that not only Fe and Mn are influenced and mobilized by the redox conditions of pseudogley soils, but that some elemental redistribution may also be influenced directly by an Fe-controlled gradient along the macropore structures.

Uticaj načina korišćenja na strukturu pseudogleja južne Mačve i Pocerine, Srbija

The impact of various types of uses of Pseudogley soils in southern Mačva and Pocerina on the iraggregate distribution and stability was studied on soil samples collected from profiles under forest, meadow and arable land, at three localities. The aggregate composition and stability were determined by Savinov'smethod. The soil structure was assessed by using Revut's coefficient of soil structure (Ks) and Vershinin's coefficient of soil aggregate structure (K A). The results show that the studied Pseudogley soils are characterized by an unfavorable structure, while the type of land use has a significant impact on the aggregate composition and stability, especially in surface Ah and Ahp horizons, where these differences are the most pronounced. The most favorable aggregate composition and highest wet-stability are found in Pseudogley profiles under forest vegetation. The aggregate distribution of meadow profiles was intermediate and of arable land the poorest. Statistical analysis of the collected data shows that Ks values, determined by dry sieving, were the highest in forest profiles (2.261.21 on average), while the values for meadow were 1.591.09 and of arable land 1.140.62. The values of K A , used to assess the aggregate stability to water, also show that forest Pseudogleys have the highest average values (2.051.03), followed by meadow (1.96 0.99) and cultivated soils (1.931.22). The results of correlation analysis indicate that Ks is negatively correlated with clay, pH value and base saturation, but positively correlated with soil humus (r=-0.77,-0.70,-0.81 and 0.79, respectively, p<0.01). Conversely, K A is negatively correlated with humus and positively correlated with clay, pH value and base saturation (r=-0.21, 0.82, 0.69 and 0.69, respectively, p<0.01).

Vrednosti različitih tipova kiselosti pseudogleja u Kraljevačkoj kotlini pod šumom, livadom i oranicama

This paper presents the results of active (pH in H2O), exchangeable (pH in KCl), hydrolytic (Y1) and total acidity (T-S) in humus-accumulative (Ah, Ahp) and subsurface (Eg, Btg) horizons of Pseudogley Soils in Kraljevo Basin for 14 soil profiles excavated in forests, 16 in meadows and 24 on arable land. The results showed that acidification was weaker or more pronounced in all three most important tested horizons of Pseudogley Soils, and that the differences in the value of different forms of acidity existed among forest, meadow and arable land uses, as well as between the horizons of the same profile. The chemical reaction of soil solution ranged from very weak to extremely acid. The highest active acidity was found in forest profiles, especially in deeper horizons. Exchangeable acidity ranged from 3.7 to 4.9 pH units, with the forest profiles as the most acid, while the differences between meadow and arable land were less pronounced. The highest hydrolytic acidity was obtained in the forest profiles, while acidity in meadow and arable profiles was significantly lower and the lowest, respectively. Total acidity of the Kraljevo pseudogleys ranged from 6.2 to 24.8 meq/100 g soil and similarly to hydrolytic acidity, the value of total acidity was affected by the land use.

Production characteristics of small grains depending on the application of mineral fertilizers with high content of phosphorus and potassium

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the application of mineral fertilizers with a high content of phosphorus and potassium on the productive characteristics of some small grains grown on pseudogley soils. The research was carried out in the vicinity of Kraljevo during the period 2011/2013. The experiment included wheat, winter barley and triticale and 3 variants of fertilizers (K ? control; V1 ? N80 P60 K60; V2 ? N80 P80 K80 and V3 ? N80 P100 K100). In addition to grain yield, absolute mass and hectoliter mass were observed. The obtained results were analyzed using the analysis of variance. There were no significant differences in yield, absolute mass and hectoliter mass of the grain between small grains. The use of fertilizers with an increased content of phosphorus and potassium led to a significant increase in grain yield, absolute mass and hectoliter mass of small grains compared to control. Among the variants V1 and V2, and V2 and V3 variants, there were no statistically significant differences in the absolute mass and hectoliter mass of the grain. The average values of grain yield of small grains ranged from 1510 kg ha-1 in the control variant up to 3209 kg ha-1 in the variant with the highest dose of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Significant differences in grain yield were observed between the variants V1 and V2, as well as between the variants V2 and V3. The application of only mineral fertilizers on acid soils leads to relatively low yields.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of pseudogley soils and recent alluvial clastic sediments in the Ngog-Lituba region, Southern Cameroon: An implication to their genesis

Mineralogical and geochemical investigations have been done on the hydromorphic clays (pseudogley soils and recent alluvial clastic sediments) in the Sanaga Maritime region (Southern Cameroon). Pseudogley soils are developed on gneisses from the Yaoundé Group. They have a dark brown to greyish brown color, with silty clay texture. Their mineral assemblage is made up of kaolinite, goethite, quartz, smectite, rutile, muscovite–illite and feldspars. The alluvial clastic sediments are characterized by variable colors (purple yellow, greenish, dark brown and purple brown) and sandy clay to clay texture. The mineral assemblage of alluvial clays is similar to that of pseudogley soils. SEM observations confirm the presence of kaolinite, smectite, quartz and muscovite–illite. Infrared data show that kaolinite is more orderly in pseudogley than in the alluvial clastic sediments. The Ngog-Lituba gneisses have moderate contents in SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, CaO, Na2O, K2O and several trace elements including REE. High element depletion is noticed in the pseudogley soils except Cr, V, Zr, Pb and REE. However, the alluvial clays are marked by a strong mobilization of LILE (Na, K, Ba, Rb and Sr) and REE, relative to the parent rock and pseudogley soils. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns are homogenous and parallel with Ce-anomalies. The (La/Yb)N shows that the REE fractionation increase from the parent rock to the alluvial clastic sediments. The mineralogical and geochemical features show that the clastic river sediments are derived from the erosion of the neighboring pseudogley materials before hydraulic sorting.

Climate and relief influence on particle size distribution and chemical properties of Pseudogley soils in Croatia

Pseudogley is a soil characterized by vertical texture contrast and periodic stagnation of precipitation water. Its profile is often designated as A-Eg-Btg-Cg. It is the second most frequent soil type in Croatia, found almost exclusively on non-calcareous loess sediments in the Pannonian region of the country. The aim of this research was to determine if differences in particle size distribution and basic chemical properties exist among Pseudogleys formed along the 600–1100mm mean annual precipitation (MAP) gradient on two different relief positions (plateau and slope) across the Pannonian region of Croatia. A total of 33 soil pits were dug in natural forests. The trends observed with soil depth for particle size distribution, organic C content, pH, Ca2+/Mg2+ ratio, and base saturation point to the predominance of top-down formation of the investigated soil profiles. Both relief and climate influenced the distribution of Pseudogleys across the Pannonian region of Croatia. The incomplete homogeneity of loess parent materials across the study region governs the variations in clay content, silt content, and cation exchange capacity among the investigated Pseudogleys. Conversely, the increase in MAP along the investigated transect caused a decrease in soil pH, base saturation, and Ca2+/Mg2+ ratio, and the increase in organic C content along the investigated profiles. Therefore, future studies of climate impact on loess-derived soils in this region should take into account only soil chemical properties that are not directly dependent on particle size distribution. The relief position on which soil pits were situated had no effect on soil characteristics. Hence, it seems that Pseudogleys should not be systemized according to their position on plateau or on slope, as it is the case in some classification systems.

Soil acidity and mobile aluminum status in pseudogley soils in Cacak-Kraljevo basin

Soil acidity and aluminum toxicity are considered most damaging soil conditions affecting the growth of most crops. This paper reviews the results of tests of pH, exchangeable acidity and mobile aluminum (Al) concentration in profiles of pseudogley soils from Cacak-Kraljevo basin. For that purpose, 102 soil pits were dug in 2009 in several sites around Cacak- Kraljevo basin. The tests encompassed 54 field, 28 meadow, and 20 forest soil samples. Samples of soil in the disturbed state were taken from the Ah and Eg horizons (102 samples), from the B1tg horizon in 39 field, 24 meadow and 15 forest pits (a total of 78 samples) and from the B2tg horizon in 14 field, 11 meadow, and 4 forest pits (a total of 29 samples). Mean pH values (1M KCl) of the tested soil profiles were 4.28, 3.90 and 3.80 for the Ah, Eg and B1tg horizons, respectively. Soil pH of forest samples was lower than those in meadow and arable land samples (mean values of 4.06, 3.97 and 3.85 for arable land, meadow and forest samples, respectively). Soil acidification was especially intensive in deep horizons, as 27% (Ah), 77% (Eg) and 87% (B1tg) soil samples had the pH value below 4.0. Mean values of total exchangeable acidity (TEA) were 1.55, 2.33 and 3.40 meq 100 g-1 for the Ah, Eg and B1tg horizons, respectively. The TEA values in forest soils were considerably higher (3.39 meq 100 g-1) than those in arable soils and meadow soils (1.96 and 1.93, respectively). Mean mobile Al contents of tested soil samples were 11.02, 19.58 and 28.33 mg Al 100 g-1 for the Ah, Eg and B1tg horizons, respectively. According to the pH and TEA values, mobile Al was considerably higher in the forest soils (the mean value of 26.08 mg Al 100 g-1) than in the arable soils and meadow soils (the mean values of 16.85 and 16.00 mg Al 100 g-1, respectively). The Eg and B1tg horizons of the forest soil had especially high mobile Al contents (the mean values of 28.50 and 32.95 mg Al 100 g-1, respectively). High levels of mobile Al were especially frequent in the forest soils, with 35% (Ah), 85.0% (Eg) and 93.3% (B1tg) of the tested samples ranging above 10 mg Al 100 g-1.

Nitrogen transformation in acid soils subjected to pH value changes

The aim of this investigation was to determine which application of fertilizer and lime material does not form toxic quantities of nitrite nitrogen and when the losses by denitrification are the lowest in the examined acid soils. Investigations were performed on pseudogley soils of different acidity. Changes of available nitrogen forms were examined by the method of short-term incubation experiments. Experimental treatments were without the use of mineral fertilizers and with application of (NH4)2SO4 (100 ppm of NO3-N) and KNO3 (100 ppm of NO3-N); with and without addition of Ca(OH)2 (50% of full neutralization and full neutralization). When (NH4)2SO4 was used, nitrites occurred in both examined soils as a result of decelerated nitrification and when KNO3 was added as a result of chemical denitrification. Application of Ca(OH)2 caused the intensification of mineralization, nitrification and biological denitrification processes. When a higher dose of lime material was used (full neutralization), nitrites occurred in larger quantities as a result of the strengthening of nitrification and denitrification processes. Application of a lower lime dose caused nitrite occurrence in smaller quantities. Therefore, in these soils as well as in soils of similar chemical properties, application of lower doses of lime material can be recommended (<50% of full neutralization) as well as the application of ammonium fertilizer, bearing in mind that in such conditions losses of added fertilizer in the denitrification process are reduced and the occurrence of nitrites as an intermediate product of this process is prevented.

Comparability of Electroultrafiltration and Ammonium Acetate–Lactate Extraction Data for Phosphorus and Potassium in Pseudogley Soils

The aim of this research was to compare two standardized soil extraction methods [electroultrafiltration (EUF) and ammonium acetate–lactate (AL)] regarding potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) availability in pseudogley soils. In total, 60 pseudogley soil samples from 12 agricultural sites in eastern Croatia (each represented by five soil samples—replicates) were simultaneously analyzed by both methods. The relations of K and P with other important soil traits [pH, selective mineral clay content (SMC), humus content] were established by multiple regression analyses. Furthermore, a highly significant regression equation (P ⩽ 0.01) was established for AL–phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), using EUF‐P‐I and EUF‐P‐II separately as well as soil pH value determined in 1 M KCl as independent variables. The actual P amount extracted by AL differed by 9% from the value predicted by the regression function. According to the highly significant multiple regression function (P ⩽ 0.01), AL‐extractable dipotassium oxide (K2O) can be approximated using EUF‐K (sum of EUF‐K‐I and EUF‐K‐II fraction), SMC, and the EUF‐K‐Q (ratio of EUF‐K‐II and EUF‐K‐I) as the independent variables. A deviation of calculated AL‐K2O value from the extracted amount of K was 4%. These results point out the possibility of the comparison of EUF and AL extraction data in the evaluation of K and P availability in pseudogley soils. The necessity of more comprehensive research regarding the comparison of the EUF and AL method, taking into account plant nutrient acquisition specificity and a great number of interrelated soil and climate factors, was suggested.

Methods for the determination of the form of aluminium: Pseudogley soils

Exchangeable aluminium (AlKCl) and CaCl2-extractable aluminium (AlCaCl2) have approximately the same value in the prognosis of detrimental effect on plants. Additional, more in-depth research should show which of the two applied methods of exchangeable Al determination is more suitable (after Sokolov or using aluminon). The contents of total Al and amorphous Al increase with depth and percentage clay. Crystalline Al oxides and CuCl2-extractable aluminium (AlCaCl2) and EDTA-extractable aluminium (AlEDTA) represent the more mobile reserves of Al and they depend mostly on changes in the acidity parameters of the soil. Exchangeable Al is on average 4.3-4.7 times lower than the contents of AlCaCl2 and AlEDTA, 8 times lower than crystalline Al and 35 times lower than amorphous Al. Some methods are not sufficiently selective, hence further research is required to achieve more favorable methods for the determination of the different forms of Al.

Lessivage and its relation to the hydrological regime of soils

By the examples of four typical catenas in the East European Plain, the role of lessivage in the development of automorphic and hydromorphic loamy and clayey soils with light-colored acid eluvial horizons and with different degrees of gleyzation has been studied. It is found that characteristic features of lessivage are often observed in the soils without hydrological barriers hampering or preventing the vertical migration of soil water and mass transfer processes. The hydrological barriers may be represented by the shallow horizons of temporarily perched water, or by the ascending capillary fringe of the ground water, or by the water-saturated horizons, in which the volume of free pores does not exceed 2–4%. It is shown that light-colored acid eluvial horizons may be formed in the profiles of loamy and clayey soils without any signs of lessivage. The development of strongly gleyed soils (gleyed soddy-podzolic soils and pseudogley soils (Stagnosols)) is not related to colmatage (silting of their illuvial horizons through lessivage); it is conditioned by the actual hydrological regime of these soils. The role of lessivage, podzolization, and gleyzation in the development of clay-differentiated soils is discussed.

Some negative chemical properties of acid soils

Some important chemical properties of various samples of two types of acid soil from Western Serbia (pseudogley and brown forest) are presented in this paper. Mobile Al was found in elevated and toxic quantities (10?30 mg/100 g) in the more acid samples of pseudogley soil. All samples of brown forest soil were very acid and the quantities of mobile Al were in the range from 12.8 to 90.0 mg/100 g. In a selected number of pseudogley soils, the influence of pH and other soil properties on the mineralization and nitrification processes was investigated. Strong inhibition of nitrification at low soil pH was found to be related to high quantities of mobile Al. At pH values less than 4.0 (in 1 M KCl), processes of chemical nitrification and denitrification of applied nitrites were registered in the pseudogley soils. .

Plasticity of pseudogley soils in Ub community

The paper includes the results of determination of Atterberg plasticity limits of arable (0-25 cm) and subarable (25-50 cm) horizons in 53 pseudogley profiles from the community of Ub. On the basis of performed laboratory investigations, it has been found that the pseudogley belongs to the group of moderately plastic soils, with plasticity index higher than 17. In the arable horizon, average moisture at the plastic limit is about 20 %, and in the subarable horizon - about 19 %. Average values of the liquid limit in the arable horizon are about 38 %, and in the subarable horizon about 40 %. The optimal moisture for machine tillage of the investigated pseudogley and for other field operations varies between 19 and 22 %. Several other physical and textural characteristics are presented, including clay activity index and potential mechanical instability and soil susceptibility to treading.

MODEL FOR OPTIMIZING FERTILIZATION OF SUGAR BEET, WHEAT, AND MAIZE GROWN ON PSEUDOGLEY SOILS

ABSTRACT The selected pseudogley soils from Eastern Croatia were analyzed by the electro-ultrafiltration (EUF) method and by the standard soil analyses. Functional dependency was established among parameters of plant nutrient availability. The experimental computer model for the determination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilization rates for sugar beet, wheat and maize was developed. The major feature of this model is the application of mathematical functions to adjust crop nutrient demand using (i) the soil nutrient content determined by the EUF method, (ii) the nutrient interactions, and (iii) other factors determining soil fertility. A model was supplemented with the concept of the nutrient potential as a valuable indicator of nutrient availability. The model allows determining optimal fertilization for a range of crops quickly and precisely.

Radial growth of mature pedunculate and sessile oaks in response to drainage, fertilization and weeding on acid pseudogley soils

La foret etudiee est situee sur des alluvions anciennes de la Meurthe. Les sols y sont souvent defavorables, tres acides, souvent caracterises par des nappes d'eau temporaires superficielles. Le sous-bois est envahi par une vegetation herbacee tres dense, a base de Carex brizoides sur les sols moyennement hydromorphes (station a carex) ou de Molinia caerulea sur les sols les plus hydromorphes (station a molinie). Le protocole experimental comprend i) le creusement d'un reseau de fosses de drainage (1974), ii) un traitement herbicide (glyphosate; 1981), iii) un apport d'elements fertilisants (P, K, Ca et Mg en 1982; N en 1982 et 1985). Une investigation dendrochronologique a permis de quantifier la reponse de chenes adultes (620 arbres de 60 a 200 ans) a ces divers traitements, seuls ou combines. L'analyse de l'effet du drainage doit prendre en compte le type de station, l'espece de chene et l'age des arbres. Dans la station a carex, ou seul le chene pedoncule est present, le drainage est pratiquement sans effet. Dans la station a molinie, l'effet n'est positif (+ 20%) que chez les chenes sessiles jeunes (≤ 110 ans); il s'avere meme negatif (- 15%) chez les chenes pedoncules âges (> 110 ans). L'effet du traitement herbicide differe selon la station, l'âge des arbres et le drainage conjoint ou non du sol. Dans la station a carex, avec ou sans drainage, l'effet est depressif (- 13%) chez les arbres jeunes, et non significatif chez les arbres vieux. Dans la station a molinie, on observe une interaction positive entre desherbage et drainage, aussi bien chez les arbres vieux (+ 22%) que chez les arbres jeunes (+ 17%), alors que le desherbage seul est depressif (- 5%). L'effet de la fertilisation est tres benefique, et comparable dans toutes les situations (+ 20% environ), sans interaction avec la station ou le drainage. La dynamique dans le temps est cependant un peu differente selon l'âge des arbres: i) il est plus faible chez les arbres jeunes (+ 15%) mais se maintenait encore a un niveau eleve au moment du carottage des arbres (1991); ii) il est plus important chez les arbres vieux (+ 25% mais il tend a s'annuler neuf ans apres l'apport des fertilisants. L'interpretation des resultats concernant le drainage et le desherbage fait intervenir la competition pour les elements mineraux entre arbres et tapis herbace et le niveau d'engorgement par l'eau des horizons superficiels des sols, qui resulte de l'evapotranspiration de l'ensemble du couvert vegetal (arbres + vegetation du sous-bois).

Testing a physically-based runoff model against field observations on a Luxembourg hillslope

This paper describes the results of tests undertaken on a physically-based runoff model regarding its predictions at the detailed hillslope scale. Numerically-solved linked surface and subsurface flow equations are used with measured soil material and physiographic parameters to predict hillslope discharge and the distribution of saturated/unsaturated zones. These are compared with field observations from a Luxembourg hillslope with pseudo-gley soils developed on Keuper Marl where discharge via overland flow and throughflow is intermittent during the year. Observed seasonal variation of hydraulic conductivities is included in the modelling. The model performance is encouraging in its simulation of physical behaviour at a pragmatic level: its use does, however, involve, on the one hand, certain approximations to physical details and, on the other hand, certain complexities of handling.

Occurrence and properties of lepidocrocite in some soils of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia

Fifty-one samples, collected from 26 sites in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, were tested for the presence of lepidocrocite (�-FeOOH) and goethite (�-FeOOH). The samples were predominantly orange-coloured mottles, bands, crusts and pipestems from hydromorphic soils, but also included a placic horizon, iron-rich precipitates from water courses, altered pyrite cubes, and geode-like features in weathered saprolites. The iron oxides were identified and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Lepidocrocite was identified in 49 of the samples, and in 44 was present in concentrations exceeding I%, with the highest being approximately 70%. Crystallinities of the lepidocrocite were assessed from the widths and positions of XRD peaks, and, in some cases, from TEM. Goethite was also present in most samples, and predominated over lepidocrocite in some. In all three countries, the most common occurrence of lepidocrocite was associated with the gleyed soil materials commonly found in wet, poorly drained pseudogley soils (mostly 'humic slope gley') of humid temperate climate. Under these climatic conditions the high degree of water supply, relatively lower soil temperatures, lower evaporation and slower water movement caused reductomorphic conditions. At these sites soil iron oxides are reduced and, on reoxidation, lepidocrocite and goethite are generally formed. The colour generally associated with lepidocrocite in iron-rich segregations in hydromorphic soils is 7.5YR6-7/4-8 Lepidocrocite was also identified in all of the other samples mentioned above. A study of the relative proportions of lepidocrocite and goethite, and the crystallinity of these associated minerals in the various morphological concentrations (profile trends), suggests that their formation is strongly governed by soil microenvironmental factors (pH, Eh, and ionic environment). However, climatic and pedogenic factors such as podzolization and high organic matter contents may modify these mineral phases or induce further transformation. These findings indicate that lepidocrocite occurs in a remarkably wide range of materials and weathering environments. Moreover, the morphology, crystallinity, differential XRD line broadening and line shift of the lepidocrocite, and the commonly associated goethite also vary markedly in the respective materials. This suggests that other factors associated with particular weathering environments, such as those involved in pseudomorphous alteration of pyrite and the influence of chloride ions, may be more important in the formation of lepidocrocite than the conditons associated with hydromorphy. The morphology and characteristics of lepidocrocite and goethite, together with field associations, appear to be useful indicators of soil genesis.

Availability of residual nitrogen from fertilizers in soil

The plant availability of residual fertilizer nitrogen for the next crop was studied in chernozem and pseudogley soils. Release of nitrogen was examined after incubation at 3 and 30°C. It was found that the use of increased doses of nitrogen fertilizer (ammonium nitrate) led to an increased release of residual fertilizer nitrogen into plant available forms. The release of this nitrogen fraction was 5–10 times faster in comparison with the remaining soil nitrogen.

Characteristcs of Moisture Regimes and Drainage of Pseudogley Soils

Characteristcs of Moisture Regimes and Drainage of Pseudogley Soils

北海道北部におけるＥａｒｔｈ Ｈｕｍｍｏｃｋについて

The author found that earthy mounds develop in some areas of northern Hokkaido, especially on the terraces along the Okhotsk sea. These mounds are semiellipsoidal in shape and very similar to so-called earth hummocks. The mean hight of the mounds is 58.8cm at Ashino, Sarufutsu and 48.5cm at Hamatonbetsu, respectively, and the mean ratio of the long axis to the short axis is 1.59 for the former case and 1.62 for the latter.These mounds are distributed in the direction from NW to SE in the both areas.The micromorphological features of the core sample did not show any fluidal structure and ped distribution signed fragmental structure. With regard to the genetic soil type, the soil profiles of these earth hummocks are similar to acid brown forest soils or pseudogley soils.