Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
Effect of water regime, as judged by Ivanov's ‘K-index’ for climatic zones, under low, high and excessive annual rainfall and also of the high rainfall distributed under different periods, on the genesis of laterite soils developed on acid igneous rocks under different physiographic positions in the tropical part of India has been investigated. Morphological studies, physico-chemical characteristics and the chemical composition of seven soil profile samples indicate that though the degree of laterization is intensified with increase in rainfall, high rainfall distributed over d longer period retards the same. Excessive rainfall with high intensity has not materially enhanced laterization under similar duration of rainfall distribution as that of high rainfall group with low intensity. Lower physiographic positions have resulted in detrital lateritic soils.
Soil genesis, laterite soils, soil moisture regime
