Characterisation and classification of wetland soils of north Kuttanad

Abstract

Fifteen profiles representing acid saline soils of North Kuttanad were studied for their characterisation and classification. Soils were light grey to dark brown / black in colour, sticky and plastic, subangular blocky in structure, and sandy to clayey it) texture, with random deposits of lime shells and organic matter. Faint to prominent reddish yellow or brown mottles were observed from surface downwards. Soils were highly acidic (pH 4.0-5.0) and mildly saline (EC 0.33-1.39 dS m'). Both acidity and salinity increased with depth. The soils were high in organic carbon, CEC and ECEC, but base saturation was less than 50 per cent. Taxonomically, 93 per cent of North Kuttanad belongs to the soil order Entisol and seven per cent to Inceptisol. At subgroup level, 78 per cent of the area is occupied by Typic Sulfaquent and seven per cent each by Fluventic Dystropept, Typic Tropofluvent, Typic Fluvaquent and Typic Tropopsamment.