Characterization and Classification of Sugarcane Growing Soil of Haryana, India

Eight representative pedons of sugarcane growing soil of Haryana viz., Damla, Yamunanagar (P1), Shahabaad, Kurukshetra (P2), RRS, Karnal (P3), Kaithal (P4), Mehlana, Sonipat (P5), Nidhani, Jind (P6), Mokhra, Rohtak (P7) and Meham, Rohtak (P8) were studied for morphological, physico-chemical characteristics and classified as per Soil Taxonomy. The colour of the studied pedons varied from yellowish brown (10YR 3/2) to dark brown (10YR 5/5) in colour, with dominant hue of 10YR. The range of bulk density of different horizons was 1.05 to 1.33 Mg m-3. These soils were slightly alkaline to moderately alkaline in reaction. The soils of all the pedons of studied area were non saline in nature having EC < 1.36 dSm-1. Exchangeable Sodium percentage (ESP) and Base Saturation Percentage (BSP) ranged from 1.65 to 47.55 % and 23.18 to 99.60 % respectively. The CEC of the soils ranged from 1.98 to 13.82 cmol (p+) kg-1. The soils of the area were classified according to Soil Taxonomy as Fine loamy, Mixed, Hyperthermic, Typic Ustocrepts (Pedon 3,6 and 7), Fine loamy, Calcareous, Mixed, Hyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts (pedon-4), Fine loamy, Mixed, Hyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts (pedon-2), Coarse loamy, Mixed, Hyperthermic, Aquic Ustochrepts (pedon-5) and Coarse loamy, Mixed, Hyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts (1 and 8).