Morphology, genesis and classification of pear growing soils of Pulwama district in Lesser Himalayas of temperate Kashmir

• Published in: Journal of environmental biology Vol. 37; no. 5; p. 1021
• Main Authors: Wani, Sartaj A, Najar, G R, Ali, Tahir, Akhtar, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lucknow Triveni Enterprises 01.09.2016
• Subjects: Environmental science; Pakistan, Kashmir; Asia, Himalaya Mts., Lesser Himalaya
• ISSN: 0254-8704; 2394-0379

Reconnaissance soil survey of Pulwama district was carried out for morpho-genetic and diagnostic characterization and classification of soils of Kashmir. Six typical pedons representing major pear growing orchards from three different established physiographic zones viz., high, mid and low altitudes were studied. Soil samples collected from pedogenic horizons were analyzed thoroughly for various morphological and physico-chemical properties. Morphological properties of soils revealed moderately deep to deep profiles, mostly light yellowish brown to dark brown in colour, medium moderate angular blocky to sub-angular blocky structure, varying consistency and predominant silt loam and occasional clay loam texture. Soils were slightly acidic to moderately alkaline in reaction, electrical conductivity was less than unity and low to high in organic carbon content. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) values were moderate (13.40 to 17.03 cmol (p+) kg-1). Analysis of soil revealed that exchange sites of soils were dominated by exchangeable calcium followed by magnesium, potassium and sodium ranging from 6.70 to 9.90, 1.82 to 2.97, 0.48 to 0.95 and 0.07 to 0.015 cmol kg^sup -1^, respectively, with significantly high base saturation (BS%) ranging from 78.31 to 83.29% across the pedons. It can be concluded that pear growing soils in the Pulwama district in Kashmir are classified under the soil orders vizInceptisols and Alfisols as per USDA system of soil taxonomy.