Characterization, Classification and Evaluation of Soils in Semi-arid Region of Mahanandi Mandal in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh

Ten representative pedons from surroundings of Mahanandi mandal in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh were studied for their morphological and physicochemical properties, and nutrient status. These soils were deep to very deep, neutral to moderately alkaline (pH 7.3–8.3), non-saline (0.19–1.00 dS m⁻¹), low to medium in organic carbon (0.2–7.5 g kg⁻¹) and low to high in CEC [4.31–52.11 cmol(p⁺)kg⁻¹ soil]. Soils were low to medium in available nitrogen (62.7–545.7 kg ha⁻¹), low to high in available phosphorus (2.7–65.7 kg ha⁻¹), high in available potassium (149–1125 kg ha⁻¹) and deficient to sufficient in available sulphur (1.3–79.2 mg kg⁻¹). The DTPA extractable Zn (0.02–4.97 mg kg⁻¹), Fe (0.46–22.56 mg kg⁻¹), Cu (0.02–0.55 mg kg⁻¹) and Mn (0.27–30.80 mg kg⁻¹) were deficient to sufficient. Pedon 2 having argillic (Bt) horizon was classified as Typic Haplustalfs and other pedons with cambic horizon (Bw) were classified as Fluventic Haplustepts (pedons 1, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10), Aridic Ustorthents (Pedon 5), Typic Haplustepts (Pedon 3) and Vertic Calciustepts (Pedons 7).