Effect of climate change on morphological characteristics of the soils of Vaigai River Basin, Alluvial Tract, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The pedological characterization of alluvial tract soils of Vaigai river basin, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu was taken during 2019-20. Initially a Reconnaissance Soil Survey was carried out with Toposheet as a base map. Totally nine representative pedons in Northern and Southern bank of the Vaigai river alluvial basin were selected and studied for their morphological characteristics. Along the course of Vaigai river basin, deposition of alluvial soil was evidenced by the poorly developed AC profiles in both side. The depth of the soil varied from d4 to d5 in both banks. The color of the pedons varies with hue ranging from 10YR to 7.5YR, value 2 to 6and chroma 2- 8 and in Northern bank ; from 10YR to 7.5YR,values varies by 2.5 to 6 and chroma by 1 to 6 in the Southern bank. The texture of soil varied from weak to structure less. Some yellowish brown mottles with jarosite were foundin the Northern bank and micaceous coatings found in the Southern banks. The calcium carbonate nodules were found in most of the pedons and the permeability of the soil was very rapid. Coconut, Banana and paddy are the major crops grown in this alluvial tract. Climate change, urbanization, is short of monsoon rain and industrialization had created the major impact on the shrinkage of land under cultivation and smash up the soil health. The present study on characteristics of alluvial tract of Vaigai River basin both in Northern and southern banks understood about the change due to anthropogenic activities and climate change scenario.