Characterization and Taxonomy Classification of Soils of Hill Slope Land and Stream Terrace Land Located at North-Eastern Ghat Agro-Climatic Zone of Odisha, India

The present investigation was carried out to study the characterization, fertility status and taxonomic classification of some soils of North-Eastern Ghat Agro-Climatic zone of Odisha. Hill slope (pedon 1) and stream terrace land (pedon 2) two representative pedons of the Nayagarh district located in different topographic positions were studied for their physico-chemical characteristics and taxonomic classification. Results show that in pedon 1, percentage of sand, silt and clay range between 78.4 to 86.4, 3.2 to 3.4 and 10.4 to 17.4 respectively and in pedon 2, sand, silt and clay percentages range between 72 to 84, 3.2 to 7.2 and 10.8 to 18.8 respectively in different horizons. In pedons 1 and 2, pH increases along with depth from 4.80 to 5.82 and 5.80 to 7.60 respectively. Organic carbon content in pedons 1 and 2, ranges from 3.4 to 5.1 and 1.6 to 6.3 g kg-1 respectively. Cation exchange capacity decreases in pedon 1 from 13.25 to 8.66 c mol (p+) kg-1 and in pedon 2, range 7.66 to 16.65 c mol (p+) kg-1. The exchangeable sodium percentage in pedon 1 and 2, ranges from 4.53 to 9.23, and 2.56 to 6.53 per cent in different horizons respectively. The base saturation percentage in pedon 1, range from 58.11 to 98.15 per cent and in pedon 2, from 59.54 to 97.91 percent. The Hill slope (pedon 1) and stream terrace land (pedon 2) have little or no evidence of development of pedogenic horizons except ochric epipedon, therefore these soil are classified under the order Entisols. These soils have A-C profile with no distinct horizonation. Pedon 1, are classified under sub order Orthents, great group Ustorthents and sub group Typic Ustorthents. In case of pedon 2 the soils are put under the sub order Aquents, great group Fluvaquents and sub group Aeric Fluvaquents.