Identification of New Subgroups for Taxonomical Classification of Salt-Affected Soils of a Part of Haryana

Soils of the north-east and central parts of Haryana had ochric epipedon. Taking moisture regime and sub-surface diagnostic horizons, the soils were placed under Alfisols (soils with argillicl natric horizons) and Aridisols (soils with cambic horizon). The physicochemical characteristics of salt-affected pedons revealed markedly saline and/or sodic nature of the surface horizons. However, the salt content was not sufficient to qualify them for salic horizon. To account for such salinity and/or alkalinity conditions, new subgroups-epihalic (ECe more than 16 mmhos/cm, epinatric (ESP more than 15) and epihalonatric (ECe more than 16 mmhos/cm, ESP more than 15) had teen proposed. Following these criteria, soils were classified. Soils with argillic horizon and ECe more than 2 mmhos/cm were placed under Aridisols instead of Alfisols, as higher salt resulted in the physiological drought.