Vol. 3 (1) : January-February 2012 issue
Green Farming Vol. 3 (1) : 21-25 (January-February, 2012)
Characterization of soils of newly established agro-biodiversity park of ANGR Agricultural University, Hyderabad
M.A. AARIFF KHANa1* and J. KAMALAKARb2
aAICRP on Agroforestry, ANGR Agric. University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad - 500 030 (A.P. )
bNear Type II Quarters, ANGRAU Campus, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad (A.P. )
Designation : 1Sr. Scientist (Soil Science) & Head (abdulaariffkhan@yahoo.co.in), 2Research Scholar (Agroforestry)
Subject : Agro-Forestry and Silviculture
Paper No. :
Total Pages : 5
Received : 21 October 2011
Revised accepted : 28 December 2011
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Citation :
M.A. AARIFF KHAN and J. KAMALAKAR. 2012. Characterization of soils of newly established agro-biodiversity park of ANGR Agricultural University, Hyderabad. Green Farming Vol. 3 (1) : 21-25 ; January-February, 2012
ABSTRACT
In the present study twenty representative pedons were selected based on topography from various physiographic units identified in Agro-biodiversity park (ABDP) of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad. On the basis of geomorphic units, soils were selected from upland, midland and lowlands. All pedons were studied for their morphological characteristics and horizon wise samples were analysed for soil properties and available nutrient status. Based on morphology and analytic data profiles were characterized. The results showed that variation in soil properties strongly influenced the land form and topography. The analysis of soils indicate that the upland soils are shallow, midland and lowland soils are medium to deep, but along the slope the depth of soil increased. The pH is neutral to moderately alkaline (6.32 - 8.21), non Saline (0.12-1.08 dSm-1), non calcareous (0.23-4.31%) in nature and low to high in organic carbon content (0.14 to 0.96%). In all soils pH, EC, OC and CaCO were more in sub-surface than surface horizons. The organic 3 carbon content was higher in lowlands compared to other soils. Regarding available nutrient status the soils are low to medium in available N and P being 92.3 to 351.5 and 6.22 to 28.2 kg ha-1, whereas available K low to high (93.1 to 293.4 kg ha-1), deficient to sufficient in available S (7.1 to 21.2 mg kg-1) and a few are below critical limits. Pertaining to available
micronutrients in general sufficient in range in all profiles and decreasing trend with depth.
Key words :
Agro-biodiversity park, available nutrients, soil properties, soil characterization.