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Pedogenesis and clay mineralogy of semi arid tropical soil in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu

Authors

  • Ramamoorthy P Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Don Bosco College of Agriculture, Ranipettai 631 151, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5467-8947
  • P Christy Nirmala Mary Department of Soil Science and Agricultural. Chemistry, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai District 625 104, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7301-7896
  • G Porkodi Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agriculture College and Research Institute, Kudumiyanmalai, Pudukkottai District 622 104, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5991-198X
  • K Subas Chandra Bose Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Mother Tarrasa College of Agriculture, Pudukkottai 622 102, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1417-6280
  • G Anand Department of Agricultural Extension, ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Salem 636 203, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9547-5209
  • K Rajkumar Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Sri Manakula Vinayagar School of Agriculture, U. T. of Pondicherry 605 107, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7354-0070
  • Kasinam Doruk Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Himalayan University, Jollang, Itanagar 791 111, Arunachal Pradesh, India
  • P Elavarasi Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Adhi Parasakthi Agricultural College, Vellore, District 632 506, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2247-8309
  • S R Sabitha Devi Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Don Bosco College of Agriculture, Ranipettai 631 151, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5030-4174

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.6344

Keywords:

CIA, clay minerals, morphology, pedons, weathering index

Abstract

Four representative soil profiles from Melur block of Madurai district in Tamil Nadu were assessed for the degree of chemical weathering, pedogenesis and clay mineralogy. Morphological, geochemical and mineralogical analysis were done following standard procedures. Soils are classified as follows: Pedon 1- Keeranoor was Fine loamy, non-acid, mixed, megathermic, Typic Hapluestepts, Pedon 2 - Arritapatti was Fine loamy, non-acid, mixed megathermic, Oxyaquic Hapluestepts Pedon 3 - Uranganpatti was Fine, mixed, non-acid, megathermic, fluventic Hapluestepts and Pedon 4 - Panangadi was Fine loamy, non-acid, mixed megathermic, Oxyaquic Hapluestepts. The soils generally exhibited a sandy texture with moderate weathering nature, comprising more than 50% of fine and medium sand fractions, little textural variation suggesting more uniform weathering. Soils are slightly alkaline, except for Pedon 2, having had a higher Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) (> 15%) and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) (15 cmol (p+ ) kg-1 ). Mineralogical investigation revealed dominance of kaolinite and illite mixed with smectites in pedons and increased silica activity with limited lessivage. The mean Chemical Index of Alteration values ranged from 80.75 to 93.44, indicating moderate soil weathering. The ternary A-CN-K diagram displayed preferential leaching of CaO and Na2O followed by K2O, as plagioclase was more susceptible to weathering. Bivariate plot results of SiO2 against (Al2O3+K2O + Na2O) indicated rapid weathering influenced by the climatic conditions.

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Published

11-03-2025

How to Cite

1.
Ramamoorthy P, Christy Nirmala PM, Porkodi G, Subas KCB, Anand G, Rajkumar K, Kasinam D, Elavarasi P, Sabitha Devi SR. Pedogenesis and clay mineralogy of semi arid tropical soil in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu. Plant Sci. Today [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 11 [cited 2025 Apr. 2];. Available from: https://horizonepublishing.com/journals/index.php/PST/article/view/6344

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