Characterization of some soils of Singarayakonda Mandal in Prakasam District of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Seven representative pedons from Singarayakonda, Pakala, Pataiahgaripalem, Kalikivaya, Binginepalle, Old Singarayakonda and Modaguntapadu of Singarayakonda mandal in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh were selected and studied. Clay mineralogy from X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that smectite, kaolinite were the dominant minerals present in clay fraction. Black soils (pedons 2, 3 and 4) were dominated by smectite but red soils (pedons 1, 6 and 7) were dominated by kaolinite mineral followed by smectite, illite, feldspar and plagioclase feldspars. In sandy soils, kaolinite, illite and quartz were the minerals present. Based on morphology, physical, physico-chemical and climatological data of the study area, pedon 1 and 6 were classified under Alfisols, pedon 2 and 4 under Vertisols, pedon 3 and 7 under Inceptisols and pedon 5 under Entisols.