Occurrence of Sodic Soils at Different Geomorphic Locations and Climate in the Satluj-Yamuna Divide

Sodic soils and water samples in different geomorphic locations, climate and various river systems of Satluj-Yamuna divide of north Indian plains were studied. Role of soil forming factors in the formation of sodic soils has been examined by using soils and water characteristics in relation to geomorphology and climate. Sodic soils were found to occur in the hills, piedmonts as well as alluvial plains, with rainfall more than 1125 mm to less than 360 mm. Characteristics of sodic soils do not vary much with changes in geomorphology and climate of the study area. These observations do not support the earlier works advocating relief and climate as the major factor responsible for the formation of sodic soils. Occurrence of sodic condition below a normal surface soil in pedons with lithological discontinuity points towards the parent material as afactor responsible for the formation of sodic soils in the study area. Source of salts in sodic soils of north-west India has been linked to various salt bearing geological formations of the sub-Himalay as that have contributed to the alluvium or the parent material of these soils.