Influence of Parent Material and Land Use Types on Soil Properties of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

A study was conducted to examinethe impact of parent materials and land use on soil physical and chemical properties in soils of Tamil Nadu. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of parent materials and land use systems on soil properties. 15 parent materials(Lime, Marl shell, Sandstone with clay interaction, Granite (Gr2), Fuchsite quartzite, Fissile hornblende biotite gneiss, Limestone and Calcareous Shale, Sand/Clay admixture, Teri sand, Sand (Medium), Sand (Grey Brown Medium), Amphibolite, Gabbro, Hornblende biotite gneiss, Chamockite and Sandy Clay) and their respective major land use were selected for the study. In each land use type per parent material, six composite soil samples were collected from the representative location within the land use types at 0 - 30 cm soil depth and all soil samples were generated for laboratory analysis. Results showed that among the parent materials, Sandy clay had the highest silt + clay fractions, Sandy/Clay admixture had the higher organic carbon content and Fissile hornblende biotite gneiss have higher exchangeable Calcium whereas Granite (Gr2) had the higher exchangeable Magnesium. The Cation exchange capacity (CEC) was significantly highest in Limestone and Calcareous shale whereas the base saturation was significantly higher in Granite (Gr2) in the study area. This shows that land use and parent material highly influence the soil properties. The application of more organic and less inorganic fertilizers will alter the Soil properties of the study area.