Characterization and classification of soils of Bilalgodu micro-watershed, Chikmagalur district, Karnataka

A detailed soil survey was carried out in Bilalgodu microwatershed of Kalasa block, Mudigere taluk, Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka at 1:10000 scale. The bilalgodu micro-watershed was selected to study and understand the pedogenic characters of the soil in different physiographic regions for summit, undulating hills, side and foot slopes due to the variability in landform which affects the crop productivity. Five soil series were identified in the study area based on the pedological investigations of typifying pedons and physico-chemical properties. The soils were characterized by deep to very deep, dark reddish brown to dark grayish brown (Munsell colour chart), well drained, slightly acidic to very strongly acidic, medium to high in organic carbon and low to medium in cation exchange capacity showing textural variations ranging from sandy clay loam to clay indicated difference in development apparently due to the varied landform in the region and were formed on ferruginous quartzite schist parent material. The soils were taxonomically classified as Ustic Kanhaplohumults, Typic Kanhaplustults, Pachic Argiustolls, Ustic Haplohumults, Aquic Dystrustepts respectively.