Vol. 10, Issue 6 (2021)

Author(s):
Maneesh Kumar, Neeraj Kumar and Ram Bharose

Abstract:
The study aimed at provision of research information by pedological characterization of Salt affected soils of Faizabad District, Uttar Pradesh. Six soil profile were selected coupled with field detailed survey. The studies on morphological characteristics physical and chemical properties of soils were undertaken through profile sampling. Based on the data obtained, the soils were categorized and classified up to soil series level Salt-affected soils, in general, were clay loam to sandy clay loam in texture. The colour of soil samples was hue 10 YR with value varied from 4 to 7 and chroma 1 to 6. The pH of surface horizon varied from 7.57 to 8.98 whereas in the subsurface horizons it ranged from 8.76 to 10.02. Electrical conductivity (EC) indicates that the soils are non-saline and which varied from 0.12 to 1.16 dS m^-1. The organic carbon (OC) content is generally low in surface and very low in subsurface horizons in both the soils of ustic and udic moisture regime. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) values of the soils varied from 8.9 to 29.0 cmol (p+) kg^-1 and the values increased with the depth. The exchange complex of all the pedons was dominated by Na⁺ followed by Ca⁺⁺, Mg⁺⁺, K⁺ and ESP, the value of exchangeable bases also increased from surface downwards. The exchangeable bases in all the pedons were in order of Na⁺ > Ca⁺² > Mg⁺² > K⁺ on the exchange complex. Based on soils characteristics, the soils are classified as Typic Agriustept, Typic Natrustept.