Soil of Madhya Pradesh: Part I - An inventory and soil-physiographic relationship

• Published in: Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science Vol. 47; no. 1
• Main Authors: Tamgadge, D.B, Gaikawad, S.T, Gajbhiye K.S.(National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur (India))
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.1999
• Subjects: CARACTERISTICAS DEL SITIO; CARACTERISTICAS MORFOLOGICAS SUELO; CLASIFICACION DE SUELOS; CLASSIFICATION DES SOLS; FACTEUR LIE AU SITE; MADHYA PRADESH; SITE FACTORS; SOIL CLASSIFICATION; SOIL MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES; TRAIT MORPHOLOGIQUE DU SOL
• ISSN: 0019-638X

Soil resource inventory of Madhya Pradesh was undertaken using the methodology adopted for the National Soil Mapping Project. The approach is essentially based on a detailed, hierarchical physiographic analysis of the study area with the help of satellite imagery, toposheets and collateral geological information. This is followed by field and laboratory investigations to characterise and classify soils, establish soil-landform relationship and delineate soil mapping units. Consistent with the large diversity in parent material and topography, the state is found to have 9 physiographic regions, 26 sub-regions, 240 landform units and 851 mapping units, most of which are association of soil families. The soils of the state are found to belong to 130 soil families which at higher levels could be grouped under 26 sub-groups, 11 great groups, 7 suborders and 5 orders. It is seen that the soils belonging to order Inceptisol are most extensive (40.5%) and those in orders Vertisols, entisols and Alfisols occupy 19-20% each. Range of some of the important properties are given.