Subsoil Properties Research Articles

The Effect of Compost, Cow, and Goat Manure on Inceptisols Soil Characteristics From Smallholder Plantation, Karangploso District, Malang Regency

Inceptisol soils mainly have medium to high physical properties. However, these physical properties can be degraded if there is a limiting factor in the terrain, which is the degree of slope and low SOC. On steep slopes, soil infiltration rates decrease, which leads to the limited available soil moisture in root zone subsoil. Application of compost or manure into the soil can improve soil physical properties and increase the soil organic carbon (SOC), it improves soil porosity and improve available water capacity (AWC). This study used the factorial completely randomized design with 8 treatments and 4 replications. The treatments included (Control + Topsoil), (Control + Subsoil), (Compost + Topsoil), (Compost + Subsoil), (Cow manure + Topsoil), (Cow manure + Subsoil), (Goat manure + Topsoil), (Goat manure + Subsoil). The results showed that (1) the addition of compost and manure can improve the physical properties of topsoil and subsoil, reducing macro porosity, increasing meso and microporosity, and increasing field capacity. (2) The addition of compost and manure can increase the water holding capacity of topsoil by 36.72% at 1 MAI to 41.12% at 5 MAI and inceptisol subsoil by 35.27% at 1 MAI to 36.42% at 5 MAI. (3) The addition of compost and manure can increase the C-organic content of topsoil by 1.62% at 1 MAI to 1.72% at 5 MAI and subsoil by 1.24% at 1 MAI to 1.38% at 5 MAI.

Impact of Farm Management on Soil Fertility in Agroforestry Systems in Bali, Indonesia

Expansion and intensification of agricultural land in the tropics increasingly raises environmental concerns and questions about sustainability of production systems. A key parameter to consider when assessing the sustainability of production systems is soil fertility, and of particular interest are macronutrients, pH, electrical conductivity, and microbial communities. To understand which environmental factors influence soil fertility, we studied the abovementioned key parameters in two agroforestry systems (rustic and polyculture) in Bali, Indonesia. Via Generalized Linear Models, we found that agroforestry system, canopy cover, crop richness, tree richness, and yields had differing effects on topsoil (0–5 cm) and subsoil (10–15 cm) properties, including C:N ratios, conductivity, K, organic C, P, and total microbes. We found a higher C:N ratio in topsoil (p = 0.027), higher organic carbon content in topsoil (p = 0.009) and subsoil (p < 0.001), higher total microbes in subsoil (p = 0.001), and lower phosphorus levels in topsoil (p < 0.001) in rustic than in polyculture systems. Rustic systems may foster conditions conducive to soil fertility, and in our study, canopy cover (p < 0.001) and tree richness (p < 0.001) emerge as a key positive drivers of the total number of microbes in topsoil. The positive associations observed between crop and tree richness with electrical conductivity and total microbe counts underscore the importance of biodiversity in enhancing soil fertility, emphasizing the need for diversified agricultural systems to promote soil fertility. With soil fertility declining across the world due to global investments in agricultural intensification, it is vital that food production systems divert to the use of systems such as agroforestry in order to ensure soil sustainability and food security for future generations.

Controlled Impact Technique for the Correction of the Verticality of Part-Collapsed Buildings with Semi-Compensated Foundations in The Lake Zone of Mexico City

The article presents a new technique for the correction of the verticality of partcollapsed buildings in the lake zone of Mexico City, the technique was conceived from the study of the deformation properties of the Mexico city subsoil and the behavior of the clays deposits of this city under cyclic loads, for buildings with similar foundations geometry that presents complex problems of differential settlements in this geotechnical zone. The problematic and properties of the subsoil where analized to desing this technique that use mechanics procedures and geotechnical machines and conditions of load that are representable with laboratory. Also is presented a theoretical analysis of the condition of load for the process of this technique and the technical aplication procedure.

Assessing the physical and geotechnical properties of subsoils within an active municipal solid waste dumpsite for secured future urban growth

Assessing the physical and geotechnical properties of subsoils within an active municipal solid waste dumpsite for secured future urban growth

The effect of leachates on the physical and engineering properties of subsoil varies across different rock types and depth layers

Waste disposal on land is a major environmental issue that affects groundwater through soil. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the physical and engineering properties of subsoil at varying depths from different dumpsites and to determine the effects of leachates and parent rock types on these soil properties. Thirty-six subsoil samples were obtained from twelve trial pit profiles at depths of 0.5 m, 1.0 m and 1.5 m respectively. These soil samples were subjected to both geotechnical index and strength tests. Grain size analysis, linear shrinkage, CBR and compaction tests revealed that many of the soil samples from dumpsites and their environs met the criteria of a good landfill material. All the soil samples have low permeability that ranges from 2.07 × 10–6 to 1.49 × 10–4. Liquid limit, plasticity index and MDD values were higher in the control samples while the dumpsite soils became more permeable. The results of grain size analysis, linear shrinkage and CBR revealed that there was no significant difference in the properties of dumpsite and control soils. All the soil samples have TDS and EC values below 1000 ppm and 1000 µS/cm, except for trial pit 1, suggesting that the soil has a low risk of leaching contaminants into groundwater. For analysis of variance and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, the P values of some parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, CBR, OMC, MDD, SG, LS, PI and LL were significant at a 0.05 level of significance. The following pairwise parameters: pH-MDD, TDS-CBR, EC-CBR, OMC-MDD and TDS-EC recorded strong positive correlation values for the three dumpsites. The statistical analyses reveal that the soil's properties were only slightly influenced by parent rock types and can be used to limit contaminant flow into the groundwater in the short term.

Long-term cotton stubble return and subsoiling improve soil organic carbon by changing the stability and organic carbon of soil aggregates in coastal saline fields

Cotton stubble return and subsoiling significantly enhanced soil fertility and cotton yield in coastal saline soils. Despite these benefits, the mechanisms influencing soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration remain poorly understood. To address this gap, a comprehensive ten-year study was undertaken, focusing on the effects of stubble management (either removal or return) and tillage (either non-subsoiling or subsoiling) on the physicochemical properties of both topsoil (0–20 cm) and subsoil (20–40 cm) layers, as well as on cotton yield. The objectives were to (i) quantify interannual variability (2013–2022), stubble return, and subsoiling on the soil physicochemical properties of the topsoil (0–20 cm) and subsoil (20–40 cm) and cotton yield and (ii) elucidate the mechanism by which these agricultural practices affect SOC sequestration. Findings from this decade-long investigation indicated that ten consecutive years of cotton stubble return and subsoiling at three-year intervals significantly ameliorated soil conditions by reducing the salt content, pH, and the proportion of silt plus clay, while increasing macro-aggregates, mean weight diameter (MWD), aggregates organic carbon (AOC) across various particle sizes, SOC, total nitrogen (TN) in both soil layers, and ultimately, the cotton lint yield. Interestingly, the effect of stubble return on micro-aggregates varied between the two soil layers, leading to a reduction in micro-aggregates by 11.16% in the topsoil, in contrast to a 5.7% increase in the subsoil, when compared to conditions where stubble was removed. The partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) indicated that the enhancements in MWD attributable to stubble return and subsoiling were primarily due to significant reductions in soil pH and salt content in both layers, which in turn fostered an increase in AOC, ultimately contributing to higher SOC levels. However, the pathways through which AOC influenced SOC varied significantly between the topsoil and subsoil, with stubble return and subsoiling increasing SOC through an increase in the macro-AOC in the topsoil, and micro-AOC in the subsoil. In summary, long-term cotton stubble return and subsoiling significantly optimize the aggregate particle size distribution and enhance the carbon sequestration potential in coastal saline cotton fields.

Proximal and remote sensing – what makes the best farm digital soil maps?

Context Digital soil maps (DSM) across large areas have an inability to capture soil variation at within-fields despite being at fine spatial resolutions. In addition, creating field-extent soil maps is relatively rare, largely due to cost. Aims To overcome these limitations by creating soil maps across multiple fields/farms and assessing the value of different remote sensing (RS) and on-the-go proximal (PS) datasets to do this. Methods The value of different RS and on-the-go PS data was tested individually, and in combination for mapping three different topsoil and subsoil properties (organic carbon, clay, and pH) for three cropping farms across Australia using DSM techniques. Key results Using both PS and RS data layers created the best predictions. Using RS data only generally led to better predictions than PS data only, likely because soil variation is driven by a number of factors, and there is a larger suite of RS variables that represent these. Despite this, PS gamma radiometrics potassium was the most widely used variable in the PS and RS scenario. The RS variables based on satellite imagery (NDVI and bare earth) were important predictors for many models, demonstrating that imagery of crops and bare soil represent variation in soil well. Conclusions The results demonstrate the value of combining both PS and RS data layers together to map agronomically important topsoil and subsoil properties at fine spatial resolutions across diverse cropping farms. Implications Growers that invest in implementing this could then use these products to inform important decisions regarding management of soil and crops.

Review of Subgrade Soil Stabilised with Natural and Synthetic Fibres

Subgrade soil is an essential component in the design of road structures as it provides lateral support to the roadway. One of the main reasons for pavement failure is subgrade settlement, which leads to a loss of subgrade strength. If the mechanical properties of subsoils are lower than required, a soil stabilisation method may be an option to improve the soil properties of the weak subsoil. Soil stabilisation is one of the techniques for improving poor subsoil, which results in significant improvement in tensile strength, shear strength and bearing capacity of subsoil. Soil stabilisation can be broadly divided into four types: thermal, electrical, mechanical, and chemical. The most common method of improving the physical and mechanical properties of soils is stabilisation with binders such as cement and lime. However, soil stabilisation with conventional methods using cement and lime has become uneconomical in recent years, so an alternative such as fibres may be sought. This review provides a comprehensive comparison of the effectiveness of natural fibres and synthetic fibres in stabilising subgrade soils.

Exploring the Regression Models for the Relationship between Soil Compaction, Electrical Conductivity and Various Soil Properties for Soil Characterization

Soil properties such as electrical conductivity and soil compaction have been found to be important properties of the soil due to their association with other properties of soil such as soil texture, moisture content, organic matter percentage, cation exchange volume, drainage conditions, salinity, clay pan depth, and subsoil properties that affect crop growth and productivity. The samples were collected during field experiments from two different locations in sandy loam and loamy soil. Simple regression analysis was performed for the determination of the correlation of the soil properties. There was a strong correlation between the soil compaction and electrical conductivity at both the locations in sandy loam (R² = 0.97) and loamy soil (R² = 0.81). it also showed a strong correlation with other engineering properties of soil that affect soil compaction and electrical conductivity of the soil.

Long-term hydrological monitoring of soils in the terraced environment of Cinque Terre (north-western Italy)

Terraced landscapes represent one of the most widespread human-induced/man-made transformations of hilly-mountainous environments. Slope terracing produces peculiar morphologies along with unusual soil textures and stratigraphic features, which in turn strongly influence slope hydrology. The investigation of the hydrological features of terraced soils is of fundamental importance for understanding the hydrological dynamics occurring in these anthropogenic landscapes, especially during rainfall events. To this purpose, the availability of extensive field monitoring data series and of information on subsoil properties and structure is essential. In this study, multi-sensor hydrological data were acquired over a period longer than 2 years in the experimental site of Monterosso al Mare, in the Cinque Terre National Park (Liguria region, Italy), one of the most famous examples of terraced landscape worldwide. Monitoring data were coupled with accurate engineering-geological investigations to achieve the hydro-mechanical characterization of backfill soils and to investigate their hydrological response at both the seasonal and the single rainstorm scale. The results indicated that the coarse-grained, and anthropically remolded texture of the soils favors the rapid infiltration of rainwater, producing sharp changes in both soil volumetric water content and pore water pressure. Furthermore, the pattern of hydrological parameters showed seasonal trends outlined by alternating phases of slow drying and fast wetting. The study outcomes provide useful insights on the short and long-term evolution of hydrological factors operating in agricultural terraces. These findings represent a useful basis for a better understanding of the time-dependent processes that guide water circulation in terraced systems, which have a key role in controlling the occurrence of erosion and landslide processes.

The Use of CPTU and DMT Methods to Determine Soil Deformation Moduli—Perspectives and Limitations

Abstract The article presents the concept of determining constrained modulus—M0 , initial shear modulus—G0 , Young modulus—E, and rigidity index—IR on the basis of parameters from static penetration tests CPTU (Piezocone Penetration Testing), SCPTU (Seismic Piezocone Penetration Testing) and dilatometer tests DMT (Flat Dilatometer Test), SDMT (Seismic Flat Dilatometer Test). The basis for constructing the empirical relationships between the mentioned modules and parameters from the CPTU and DMT studies was to determine the factors that affect these relationships. The article discusses the impact of the following factors; geological and geotechnical conditions, conditions of recording measurements in CPTU and DMT tests, factors relating to the CPTU and DMT testing methods, factors affecting reference parameters from laboratory tests, factors related to subsoil properties. The basis for obtaining the empirical relationships for determining the analyzed modules and rigidity index were extensive research of the soils of various origins, in Poland. Measurement uncertainties and factors influencing the recorded parameters in the CPTU study were documented by the studies of the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute and the former Department of Geotechnics of the Agricultural University in Poznań. In these studies, penetrometers from several reputable manufacturers were used. The article summarizes the established empirical relationships for individual modules, taking into account the effect of overconsolidation. It also comments on the interrelationship between constrained modulus M0 from CPTU and DMT test for soils in Poland.

Using surface soil layer depth for determining soil quality index for evaluating productivity of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Hokkaido, Japan

ABSTRACT A comprehensive quantification of soil quality is necessary for data-driven soil management, and numerous studies have sought to devise methods for determining the soil quality index (SQI) to assess soil productivity. However, most studies have focused on topsoil properties rather than deeper soil properties. Therefore, this study attempted to calculate the SQI by incorporating subsoil properties and surface soil layer depth and topsoil properties, targeting farms cultivating potatoes in Tokachi region, Hokkaido. The soil parent material in this region is primarily composed of a mixture of alluvial deposits, volcanic ash, and peat, which makes the comparison between the various soil properties difficult for evaluation by farmers. Principal component analysis (PCA) and regression analysis were used to select the minimum data set (MDS) representing the variance of the original data set: exchangeable Ca, K, pH, solid phase, and acid-soluble Cu in descending order of weight. Weights were allocated based on the eigenvalues of the principal components. This study selected MDS’s parameters from properties with soil diagnosis criteria based on past research on productivity evaluation. The selected parameters contained both physical and chemical properties, which indicated that the soil quality was evaluated from both aspects. For surface soil layer depth consideration, the corrected SQI was calculated by reducing more when the depth was shallower. SQI considering subsoil properties did not correlate with yield (r = 0.358), but SQI considering surface soil layer depth was significant (r = 0.515–0.518) regardless of the soil type (parent material) and cultivar. Correlations between SQI considering depth and yield were stronger when considering a single cultivar with the greatest number of sites (r = 0.620–0.641). A deeper surface soil layer depth would provide more macropores to plant roots and improve the availability of air, greatly affecting soil quality in the Tokachi region, where precipitation is high during the growth season. Therefore, this study reveals the importance of considering the surface soil layer depth to evaluate soil productivity using the SQI.

Geotechnical properties of foundation sub-soils in part of Port Harcourt city and Obio/Akpor, Rivers State, Nigeria

Geotechnical properties of foundation sub-soils in part of Port Harcourt city and Obio/Akpor, Rivers State, Nigeria

Geotechnical properties of foundation sub-soils in part of Niger delta, Yenagoa of Bayelsa State

Geotechnical properties of foundation sub-soils in part of Niger delta, Yenagoa of Bayelsa State

Application of 2-D and 3-D Geo-electrical Resistivity Tomography and Geotechnical soil Evaluation for Engineering site Investigation: A Case Study of Okerenkoko Primary School, Warri-Southwest, Delta State, Nigeria

In the design of building structures, joint efforts must be decided to resolve the depth to competent layers across the intended site, and periodic subsidence monitoring and deformation assessment of all buildings, specifically high-rise buildings, should be a regular practice, to safeguard the durability of civil engineering structures, to avert the disastrous consequences of structural failure and collapse prevalent of late. It was this extremity that necessitated the adoption of an integrated methodology which employed DC resistivity tomography involving 2-D and 3-D techniques and geotechnical-soil analysis to evaluate subsoil properties for engineering site investigation at Okerenkoko primary school, in Warri-southwest area of Delta State, to adduce the phenomena responsible for the visible cracks/structural failure observed in the school buildings. Rectilinear set of 2-D resistivity data consisting of five (5) parallel and five (5) perpendicular lines were obtained in a 100 x 80 m2 rectangular grid using the Wenner array. Thirteen (13) Schlumberger soundings were also obtained on the site with half-current electrode separation of 200 m. The results brought to light the geological structure beneath the subsurface, which consists of four geoelectric layers identified as top soil, dry/lithified upper sandy layer, wet sand (water-saturated) and peat/clay/sandy clayey soil (highly water-saturated). The deeply-seated peat/clay materials (ρ ≤ 20 Ωm) were delineated in the study area to depths of 17.1 m and 19.8 m from 2-D and 3-D imaging respectively. The dominance of mechanically unstable peat/clay/sandy clay layers beneath the subsurface, which are highly mobile in response to volumetric changes, is responsible for the noticeable cracks/failure/subsidence detected on structures within the study site. The DC resistivity result was validated using geotechnical test of soil samples collected from boreholes covering the first 8.0 m on three of the profiles. Atterberg’s limits of the soil samples revealed plasticity indices of zero for all samples. Thus, the soil samples within the depth analyzed were representatives of sandy soil which does not possess any plasticity and their plasticity index is taken as zero. These findings apparently justify the subsoil conditions defined in the interpretation of 2-D and 3-D resistivity imaging data. 3-D images presented as horizontal depth slices revealed the dominance of very low resistivity materials i.e. peat/clay/sandy clay within the third, fourth and fifth layers at depths ranging from 5.38-8.68 m, 8.68-12.5 m and 12.5-16.9 m respectively. Hence, 3-D tomography amplified the degree of accuracy of the geoelectrical resistivity imaging. Resistivity contour maps of second, third and fourth layers for VES 1 to 13, displayed low resistivity direction predominantly towards the northeastern part of the site, and signifies that rocks within the northeastern part have low resistivity values, which connotes high porosity and establishes the groundwater flow trend in the study area. The methods employed in this study justifiably gave relevant information on the subsurface geology beneath the study site and its suitability for engineering practice. Thus, it is suggested that these methods should be appropriated as major tools for engineering site assessment projects and groundwater future studies.

Nitrogen mineralization in grazed BSC subsoil is mediated by itself and vegetation in the Loess Plateau, China

Biological soil crust (BSC) exists widely in many kinds of grassland, its effect on soil mineralization in grazing systems has well been studied, but the impacts and threshold of grazing intensity on BSC have rarely been reported. This study focused on the dynamics of nitrogen mineralization rate in biocrust subsoils affected by grazing intensity. We studied the changes in BSC subsoil physicochemical properties and nitrogen mineralization rates under four sheep grazing intensities (i.e., 0, 2.67, 5.33, and 8.67 sheep ha−1) in seasons of spring (May–early July), summer (July–early September), and autumn (September–November). Although this moderate grazing intensity contributes to the growth and recovery of BSCs, we found that moss was more vulnerable to trampling than lichen, which means the physicochemical properties of the moss subsoil are more intense. Changes in soil physicochemical properties and nitrogen mineralization rates were significantly higher under 2.67–5.33 sheep ha−1 than other grazing intensities (Saturation phase). In addition, the structural equation model (SEM) showed that the main response path was grazing, which affected subsoil physicochemical properties through the joint mediation of BSC (25%) and vegetation (14%). Then, the further positive effect on nitrogen mineralization rate and the influence of seasonal fluctuations on the system was fully considered. We found that solar radiation and precipitation all had significant promoting effects on soil nitrogen mineralization rates, the overall seasonal fluctuation has a direct effect of 18% on the rate of nitrogen mineralization. This study revealed the effects of grazing on BSC and the results may enable a better statistical quantification of BSC functions and provide a theoretical basis to formulate grazing strategies in the grazing system of sheep in Loess Plateau even worldwide (BSC symbiosis).

Dynamic Traction of Deep-Sea Polymetallic Nodule Collector

The ocean is extremely rich in mineral resources. To cope with the shortage of land mineral resources, countries are focusing on the development of deep-sea mineral mining technology. Owing to its superior traction performance, the deep-sea polymetallic nodule collector (DPNC) has become the preferred solution for ocean mining. This paper proposes a dynamic traction calculation model to address the shortcomings in the classical static traction calculation model with consideration of the dynamic variation rule of grouser–soil interaction in the DPNC process. Lab tests were conducted to formulate materials similar to deep-sea soil, and the corresponding shear stress–displacement models were established using the discrete element method (DEM) and Magic Formula to describe the “shear stress–displacement” relationship more accurately. Considering Kunlong 500, which is a Chinese DPNC, as an example, the periodicity and dynamics of the dynamic traction force were analyzed and compared with the numerical simulation results. The dynamic traction force was smaller than the static traction force and fluctuated significantly when considering the dynamic grousers–soil interaction. The magnitude and fluctuation of the dynamic traction force were influenced by the ratio of the grouser height to the spacing. In the DPNC design, the ratio of the grouser height to the spacing should be optimized according to the properties of the deep-sea subsoil to improve the traction performance and stability of the DPNC.

Subsoil Variability in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area of Thailand Identified through Ambient Noise Measurement

This paper presents the variations in subsoil conditions of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area of Thailand. The study was initiated by measuring ambient noise with a seismometer. A total of twenty sites was investigated by microtremor measurements. The typical subsoils of Bangkok were presented on the basis of site investigation reports. Furthermore, inversion analysis was conducted to determine subsoil properties in Bangkok. Geotechnical parameters for seismic analyses, such as soil layer thickness, undrained shear strength (su), unit weight, time-averaged shear wave velocities at 30 m (Vs30), 100 m (Vs100), and 500 m (Vs500), and engineering bedrock surface depth were reported. Results shows that clay layer thickness varies from 17 - 25 m with the su of approximately 10 - 60 kPa and unit weight of approximately 15 - 17.5 kN/m3. The results also show that Vs30, Vs100, and Vs500 fall in the ranges of 100 - 225, 175 - 300, and 325 - 450 m/s, respectively. Engineering bedrock with the Vs of 760 m/s is found at 375 - 625 m below the ground. This result also indicates that a thick sediment is generally found in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. In general, the results of this work could be used for civil engineering practice, especially seismic design and analysis in the studied area.

Settlements and angular distortions of shallow foundations on liquefiable soil

The extensive injury caused to buildings by liquefaction during past earthquakes, with the uneven spatial distribution of damage, raises the need for rapid predictive tools, applicable at a large scale, that comprehensively account for the properties of earthquake, subsoil and structure. A method is herein proposed to quantify the angular distortion of framed low-rise buildings based on a simple characterization of the above factors. The analysis moves from past literature criteria introduced to quantify the vulnerability of buildings under static conditions and extends their applicability to liquefaction assessment integrating parametric two-dimensional numerical analyses with recent literature predictive formulas and machine learning inference. The numerical calculation, performed for variable stratigraphic and mechanical characteristics of the subsoil, ground motion and equivalent flexural stiffness of the foundation, quantifies the role of each factor on the absolute settlement and angular distortion. Then the dependency on the different factors of the angular distortion is inferred with an artificial neural network, grouping parameters to limit the number of input variables and express results with charts that make prediction more accessible.

Geotechnical investigation and statistical relationship of subsoil properties derived from two parent rock types in Southwestern Nigeria

This study is aimed at using geotechnical properties and statistical relationship between geotechnical parameters to evaluate the performance of subsoil derived two different rock types for pre- and post-engineering construction planning and design of roads. Twelve soil samples underlain by two rock types (granite gneiss & grey gneiss) were taken at the depth of 1 m for analysis. The geotechnical properties of these soils were tested. The atterberg limit, grain size analysis, California bearing ratio (CBR) and compaction tests of both soils types met the Nigeria specifications of good subgrade material. Soil derived from grey gneiss has better ratings in linear shrinkage, grain size analysis, specific gravity, compaction and CBR tests. Twelve parameters of the soil samples were correlated against each other and sixty-six values of correlation coefficient were recorded for each rock type. Soil derived from grey gneiss has more positive pairwise Pearson’s (r) correlation (37) than the soil derived from granite gneiss (34). Granite gneiss derived soil has better ratings in thirty-three (33) out of sixty-six (66) Pearson’s correlation (r) values to thirty-two (32) of grey gneiss with one of the variables correlation having the same value. There exist five strong positive and five strong negative correlation variables that are common to the two rock types’ derived soils. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) values that are within the critical (r) value are negligible. For regression analysis, granite gneiss derived soil has better ratings than the grey gneiss derived soil with both rock types derived soils having these two pairwise correlation variables (GRV-SAND and OMC-MDD) for excellent prediction.