Gilgai Microrelief in Swell-Shrink Soils: A Case Study from Sholapur District, Maharashtra

Micro-knolls and micro-lows of gi/gai microrelief under two phases of Barsi series showed distinctness in their morphology, frequency and soil properties Micro-knolls of alkaline phase are large and the interval between the knolls is more than that of the knolls of normal phase. The micro depressions or slick spots of alkaline phase also are bigger than the microbasins of normal phase. The mechanical separates of the soils of alkaline phase have relatively higher amount of fine clay as compared to the normal soils. The exchangeable Na⁺. C^a++ and Mg⁺⁺ are high in alkaline phase as compared to the soils of normal phase. Differential wetting leading to differential swelling and plasticities, differences in microtopography, high fine clay. Na⁺, C^a++ + Mg⁺⁺ cations on the exchange complex might be responsible for the bigger micro-knolls and micro-lows in alkaline phase of the soils as compared to the soils of normal phase.