Micromorphology of Endopedons of Some Soils of Bundelkhand Region

Micromorphological investigation of endopedons of six pedons of Bundelkhand region higlighted that the related distribution was porphyric in red soils and porphyric-chitonic in alluvial soils. Skelsepic-mosepic fabric orientation was dominantly observed in red soils and mosepic in alluvium-derived soils. Porosity mainly consisted of vughs, round pores, frequent channels and packing pores in red soils reflecting greater root and faunal activity. Plannar voids were prominent in Anuwan and Badausa soils of flood plains due to their swelling-shrinking properties. The voids were free of mineral and organic excrements. The endopedons were characterised by iron accumulation which was relatively larger in red soils, and mineral alterations. Weakly expressed ferri-argillans and ferrans were noticeable in Devagan soil. However, shining ped faces in Mariahu soils were related to in situ weathering of biotite-mica instead of clay cutans. In Anuwan soils yellowish brown to greyish reddish brown ground mass, thin gleyans, few coatings of sesquioxides and presence of iron nodules were important features associated with flooding. Lithorelicts in Badausa and Anwan pedons possibly of shale like material were indicative of pedogenic evolution from consolidated sediments transported by the rivers. Multicyclic development in Badausa soils was shown by carbonate nodules impregnated with iron. Relatively weak stress cutans seen in Badausa soil were suggestive of low swell-shrinkage potential of smeetites. Based on soil morphology and micromorphology dominant pedogenic processes operative in the pedons are indicated.