Genesis, characterization and classification of laterites and associated soils along the East Coast of Andhra Pradesh

Six representative profiles of Somasila and Teluguganga Project area in Nel/ore district located on the gently rolling plains showed the presence of hard and compact laterite or ferrugenous layer. The soils are light in texture with low water holding capacity, slightly acidic to neutral reaction, low organic matter and CEC. There was no vertical movement of total Fe within the profile, but substantial loss of Ca, Mg and Kfrom the soil, These soils are relatively infertile because of the paradoxical situation existing in the semiarid monsoonic climate that do not permit sufficient weathering to release nutrients and are subjected to serious erosional processes in case of rains of high intensity, in the east coast of Andhra Pradesh. The soils are classified in the orders of Alfisols, lnceptisols and Entisols.