Morphological and physio chemical properties of Karapadom soils of the Kuttanad region of Kerala State

Abstract

A study was mads on ths morphological and physico-chemical properties of 3 profiles of the Karapadom soils of the Kuttanad region. The study revealed many salient features of Karapadom soils The main conclusions drawn from the results obtained are summarised as follows 1. The soils can be texturally classified as clay, loamy sand, silt and silty loam* Maximum percentage of clay was recorded by the top layer of Vettikaripadom, lowest layer of Mathurpadom and sub-surface layer of Mathurvadakke padom profiles. 2. In Mathurpadom and Mathurvadakke padom absolute specific gravity Increased with increase in depth and there is no general trend in the value of apparent density. 3. Mathurpadom and Mathurvadakke padom profiles are strongly acidic when compared to Vettikaripadom which is situated on the western most boundary of Kuttanad near Punnapra. 4. Electrical conductivity increased as depth of the profile increased in Mathurpadom and Mathurvadakke padom profiles. 5. In the three profiles, the organic carbon varies from 0.79 to 4.09 per cent and nitrogen varies from 0.11 to 0.3 per cent. She carbon nitrogen ratio of the profiles varies from 6.58 to 18.33