Characterization and classification of soils in upland soils of Tatrakallu village of Anantapuramu district in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Nine typical pedons representing upland landforms in semi-arid ecosystem of Tatrakallu village, Anantapuramu district of Andhra Pradesh originated from granite-gneiss parent material were studied for their morphological, physical and chemical properties, soil genesis, taxonomy and nutrient status. The soils were slightly acidic to strongly alkaline (6.6 to 8.3) in reaction, non-saline (0.02 to 0.16 dSm-1) shallow, deep and very deep in depth and had isohyperthermic temperature and ustic soil moisture regimes. The texture, organic carbon (OC), cation exchange capacity (CEC) and base saturation were ranged from loamy sand to sandy clay loam, 1.0 to 5.5 g kg-1, 7.6 to 21.1 cmol (p+) kg-1 and 55 to 98 per cent, respectively. The soils were low (65 to 195 kg ha-1) in available nitrogen, low to high (1.2 to 77.9 kg P2O5 ha-1 ) in available phosphorous and potassium (35 to 521 kg K2O ha-1), deficient to sufficient (6.2 to 44.7 mg kg-1) in available sulphur, deficient in DTPA extractable Zn, deficient to sufficient in DTPA extractable Fe and Mn and sufficient in DTPA extractable Cu. Pedons, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 were placed under Entisols due to absence of sub-surface diagnostic horizon and were classified as Lithic Ustorthents whereas pedon 6 was grouped under Inceptisols due to presence of cambic (Bw) sub-surface diagnostic horizon and classified as Typic Haplustepts. However, Pedon 7 was classified under Alfisols due to presence of argillic horizon (Bt) as Lithic Haplustalfs.