Characterization and classification of some tea-growing soils of Jorhat district, Assam

Not AvailableFour representative tea-growing soils in flood plains of East-Jorhat Development Block of Jorhat district were studied to understand the intrinsic pedogenic characteristics through morphology, selected physical and chemical characteristics to placethem in the sub groups of Ultisols and Inceptisols. Soils on very gently sloping plains (P1 and P2) are very deep, well-drained and have brownish-yellow to yellowish-brown matrix, loamy A horizons to clay-loam argillic B horizons, extremely (pH 4.4) to very strongly acid (pH 4.9), low cation exchange capacity and low base saturation status (< 35 percent). Soils on nearly level plains are moderately (P3) to imperfectly drained (P4) with dark yellowish brown to yellowish brown, sandy loam to loam A horizons and have yellowish brown to light yellowish brown or brownish yellow matrix in B horizons with sandy loam to sandy clay loam textures with an aluminium saturation of 48 (P1) to 63 percent (P3). The strongly acid subsoils (P4) have brown to yellowish brown matrix with sandy loam to loam texture and base saturation of more than 35 percent in the soil control section. The soils have aluminium saturation 48 to 77 per cent compared to that in pedon P3 (29 to 63%). The ratio of pH dependent CEC to ECEC was considered as reliable indicator ranging from 0.90 to 2.60 in soils on very gently sloping plains to 0.77 to 1.91 in soils on nearly level plains indicating differential rates of weathering. The soils on very gently sloping plains (P1 and P2) were classified as Typic Hapludults whereas, soils on nearly level plains as Ruptic Ultic Dystrudepts (P3) and Ruptic Alfic Dystrudepts (P4).Not Availabl