Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
*Present address; Division of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.
The relationship between different soil properties was brought out for the four soil groups of Tamil Nadu. The different soil moisture constants were very highly correlated with one another. There was highly significant positive correlation between clay content and the moisture constants. Clay content had more influence on hygroscopic coefficient determined near saturation point of water vapour than on the same determined at half-saturation condition. Organic carbon was significantly correlated with all the moisture constants. Cation exchange capacity was significantly correlated.
The influence of clay was more than that of organic carbon on water holding capacity. This moisture constant was dependent both on the quantity and nature of clay. Hygroscopic coefficient at 99.8% R. H. was influenced more by the quantity of clay. The deviation of the Nilgiris high altitude laterite soils from the established relationships pattern suggests the need for a detailed study of the functional relationships of this group of soils.
Soil separates-soil properties relationship, Tamil Nadu soils
