Genesis of Iron Oxide Concretions in Oxisols, Ultisols and Alfisols of North Karnataka

Alfisols, Ultisols and Oxisols pedons in western ghat region (Sirsi, Siddapur, Londa and Khanapur) and coastal region (Kumta and Murdeshwar) were studied with respect to distribution of iron concretions, iron oxides in fine earth fraction and clay fractions of the soils. Based on the distribution of clay, dithionite extractable (Fe_d), oxalate extractable (Fe_o) and total (Fe_t) iron in soil and clay fraction, an attempt has been made to explain the genesis of iron oxide concretions in Alfisol, Ultisols and Oxisols of north Karnataka. Eluviation, illuviation and transformation are the main pedogenic processes involved in the genesis of iron oxides.