Characterization, Classification and Evaluation of Soils of Olpad Taluka in Coastal Region of Surat District, Gujarat

Abstract

Five representative pedons (P1 Barbodhan; P2 Tena; P3 Bhandut; P4 Takrama; and P5 Karanj) from
different landforms of Olpad taluka in the coastal region of Surat district, Gujarat were studied for their
morphological, physical, and chemical properties. The soils were deep to very deep (100-150 cm), well to
imperfectly drained, neutral to strongly alkaline (pH 7.1-9.4), non-saline to highly saline (0.2-12.6 dS m-1),
low to high in organic carbon (2.2-18.7 g kg-1) and CaCO3 (5.0-18.9%), and medium to high in cation
exchange capacity [35.7-70.0 cmol(p+)kg-1]. Soil texture varied from clay loam to clay with the clay content
ranging from 34.2 to 55.6%. Bulk density was lower in Takrama soil (1.29-1.34 Mg m-3) than the other
soils (1.30-1.55 Mg m-3). Saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soils varied from 0.1 to 1.7 cm h-1 and it
was less than the critical limit of 1.0 cm h-1 in Bhandut and Karanj soils. The exchangeable sodium
percentage varied from low to very high (3.6-83.6), and the pedons were generally high in exchangeable
magnesium percentage (27.2-55.1). The Barbodhan pedon with the cambic horizon was classified as Typic
Haplustepts, and the similar Tena pedon with vertic characteristics was classified as Vertic Haplustepts.
The Bhandut, Takrama, and Karanj pedons were classified as Sodic Haplustepts, Typic Haplusterts and
Sodic Haplusterts, respectively. The soils were grouped under II (Takrama), IIs (Barbodhan and Tena) and
IIIws (Bhandut and Karanj) according to land capability classification.