Characterization and classification of soil resources of hittinahalli sub-watershed derived from basalt in Northern dry zone of Karnataka

Abstract

Eighteen Typical pedons representing upland, midland, and lowland forms in a Hittinahalli subwatershed of Vijayapur district were studied for their morphological characteristics and physicochemical properties. The soils were shallow to very deep (25 to >150 cm), very dark brown to black (Munsell color chart) and moderately well to poorly drained. The soil structure changes from weak, medium sub- angular blocky on the surface to moderate, coarse sub-angular blocky in the subsurface horizons. The soils are moderately alkaline to  strongly alkaline (7.59–9.41), low to high in organic carbon (0.08–0.75 g/kg). The pedons on uplands exhibit the development of an argillic horizon (Bt). The pedons on the midlands and lowlands have cambic horizons (Bw), classified as Verisols and Inceptisols, respectively. The  lowlands (P6, P10, P16, and P18) and midlands (P7, P8, P12, P15, and P17) are classified as fine, mixed, Iso-hyperthermic, and Typic  Haplustalfs.