Author(s):

Anjali MC and Manjunatha Hebbara

Abstract: A study was undertaken to assess the physico-chemical properties of selected soil profiles of Kavalur-2 micro-watershed of Koppal district, Karnataka and classified them taxonomically. Five representative pedons covering five different soil series were selected for the study. The soils showed low bulk density (1.20 to 1.39 Mg m^-3) and high water holding capacity (31.8 to 49.7 %). The coefficient of linear extensibility (COLE) increased gradually from surface to subsurface horizon with COLE values ranging from 0.24 to 0.36. The soil texture varied from sandy clay to clay. The soils under the study were slightly alkaline to alkaline in reaction (8.21 to 8.97) and non-saline (0.21 to 0.60 dS m^-1). The soil organic carbon content was low to medium (1.56 to 5.45 g kg^-1) and decreased with depth. The free calcium carbonates in soils ranged from 21.3 to 120.0 g kg^-1 and in general, increased with depth. Cation exchange capacity, base saturation and exchangeable sodium percentage ranged from 37.4 to 56.9 cmol (p⁺) kg^-1, 74.6 to 95.9 per cent and 2.00 to 8.68, respectively. The calcium and magnesium were the dominant exchangeable cations followed by sodium and potassium. Soils were classified up to Family level. Taxonomically, the soils of the study area were classified under the orders Inceptisols and Vertisols.

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