Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Nainital, Uttar Pradesh, 263145.
Based on the redesignation of the horizons of bench mark soils (published earlier in 1982) as per Keys to Soil Taxonomy (1990) and the weighted mean of the properties; dendrogram and shaded matrix were prepared. Clustering pattern reflected the differences in the magnitude of soil properties. The advantages of numerical classification are discussed. The uneven selection of soils for bench mark was indicated and it is suggested that similar work should be attempted in the areas which have not found representation in this publication and further extended in the different states of the Country. A formula is proposed to calculate the total number of soil pairs.
Benchmark soilsof india, numerical classification
