Assessment of Physical Properties of Soils of Agriculture College Farm, Kolhapur

Studies on morphological and physical properties of the soils of Agriculture College Farm, Kolhapur were carried out during the year 2011–12. The total cultivable area of the farm was 40.18 ha, which was divided under research farm of different divisions. After survey of Agriculture College farm, representative pedons were studied for various morphological characteristics. Physical properties analysis soils were classified in to different categories as per the results obtained and accordingly maps were prepared. The soils of Agriculture College farm, Kolhapur has sandy clay to clay texture in agronomy farm while clay loam at Dairy and Horticulture farm. Particle density ranges from 2.60 to 2.79, Mg m⁻³ bulk density ranges from 1.15 to 1.46 Mg m⁻³. Where as porosity of these farm ranges in between 44 to 57 per cent and hydraulic conductivity ranges from 0.07 to 14.35 cm hr⁻¹, which may vary with texture of the soil. At field capacity moisture retained in soil varies from 30 to 49 per cent and at permanent wilting point moisture retention varies from 8 to 19 per cent. Moisture retention capacity of soil varies with textural class of soil, clay soil has the highest moisture retention capacity than sandy and sandy loam soil. The COLE value was worked and it ranges from 0.010 to 0.063 i.e. difference in length. COLE value was higher where clay content of soil was high. The consistency of soil in dry condition varies from slightly hard to hard and in moist condition it was firm, where as in wet condition it was sticky, non sticky, plastic or non plastic depending on texture of soil. Mean weight diameter ranges from 1.18 to 6.43 mm.