CHARACTERIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF SOIL AND LAND RESOURCE ENVERONS OF DECCAN PLATEAU

In the present study eight representative pedons were selected based on topography from various physiographic units identified in Chevella mandal of Ranga Reddy district in deccan plateau of Andhra Pradesh. All the pedons were studied for their morphological characteristics and horizon wise samples were processed for laboratory analysis for physical, physico-chemical and chemical characteristics. Based on morphological, physical, physico-chemical, chemical and meteorological data, according to revisions of US Soil Taxonomy revealed that pedon 1 of uplands and pedon 3 and 4 of midlands were classified as order Alfisols. Where as, pedon 2 of uplands classified as Entisol. The pedons 5 and 6 of midlands and pedons 7 and 8 of low lands classified in the order Inceptisols climatic condition, with the average rainfall of 1100 mm, of which 74% is received during southwest monsoon, 16 % during northeast monsoon and 8 % during summer season. The study area forms a part of Deccan Plateau. The general slope of the land is from north to south. Based on variation in relief factor, lands were characterized in to uplands, midlands and lowlands and were studied in detail and their characteristics are presented in table 1. The detailed morphological features of these eight pedons were described as per the procedure outlined in Soil Keys to soil taxonomy (Soil Survey Staff 2006). The soil samples representing each horizon of the pedons were collected and characterized for important physical and physicochemical properties using standard procedures.