Characteristics and classification of some Sal (Shorea robusta) - supporting soils in Dindori District of Madhya Pradesh

Four representative pedons supporting sal in Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh were characterised and classified. Samarpura site (P1) occurring on footslope of flat topped hills was characterised by very dark greyish brown colour throughout the profile, gravelly clay texture, sub-angular blocky structure, 27 g kg⁻¹ organic carbon in surface horizon, neutral pH (6.7–6.8), high CEC and base saturation, whereas Kabir site (P4) occurring on escarp slope of high hill having relatively higher rainfall was dark brown to dark reddish brown in colour, gravelly clay in texture, subangular blocky in structure, low (33 g kg⁻¹) in OC in the surface horizon, slightly acidic (pH 6.1–6.3), had high CEC and base saturation and are classified as Typic Haplustolls. Both the soils have smectitic clay minerals but with clayey-skeletal and fine textural family class, respectively. The Sarastal (P2) and Jagatpur (P3) sites occur on flat-topped hill and hill slope, respectively. Pedon 2 had dark brown surface but dark reddish brown to red sub-surface horizon, gravelly clay texture, subangular blocky structure, 30 g kg⁻¹ OC in surface horizon, moderately acidic pH (5.6–6.0), CEC ranging from 11.8 to 21.3 cmol(p⁺)kg⁻¹ through depth and more than 60% base saturation. Pedon 3 had dark yellowish brown surface and yellowish brown to dark red sub-surface horizons, gravelly clay (more than 20% stone), subangular blocky to fine granular structure, 32 g kg⁻¹ OC in surface horizon, moderately acidic pH (5.8–5.9), CEC more than 35 cmol(p⁺)kg⁻¹ and base saturation more than 80% and is classified as Typic Haplustepts but with clayey-skeletal (mixed mineralogy) and fine textural (smectitic mineralogy) family class, respectively. The soils were rich in DTPA-extractable iron and manganese and the status of copper and zinc were above the critical limits. The soil-site characteristics were correlated with the growth of trees.