Physical characteristics of the poonthalpadam soils of Kerala
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Date
1985
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Publisher
Kerala Agricultural University
Abstract
An appraisal of tha physical characteristics of the Poonthalpadam soils
reveals that the texture of the profile samples varies from sandy clay to clay. The
highest clay content is found to be in the surface layers which may be either due To
impeded drainage which does not permit cJay migration or due to deposition of clay
by flood waters on to the surface of the original soil. The apparent specific gravity
ranges from 1 .20 to 1 .80 and the absolute specific gravity varies from 2.25 and 2.51 .
There exists a negative correlation between clay content and apparent specific
gravity. The porespace as well as volume of expansion show a decrease down
the profile except in the profiles from Valiavallampathy and Kuttippallam. The upper
and the lower plastic limit and sticky point moisture are found to be the highest in
the surface layer of the profiles. These limits are of importance to the tillage
operation since plastic limit represents the minimum moisture percentage at which the
soil can be puddled and these fimitsare affected by ctay content, nature of clay
minerals, organic matter and nature of exchangeable cations.
Improving the physical condition of these soils would result in increased
productivity of these soils.
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Citation
Agricultural Research Journal of Kerala, 23(2), 141-145.