Pedological Development of Soils of Saraswati River Palaeochannels across Haryana through Field Morphology Rating System

To evaluate the pedological development of soils in Saraswati river palaeochannels in Haryana, a study was carried out. Twelve Soil pedons were dug and exposed to study the level of soil development according to field morphology rating system. Six soil profiles were studied in Yamunanagar district, one soil profile in Kurukshetra district, two from Kaithal district, one from Fatehabad district and two from Sirsa district. The slope of the soils from Yamunanagar district was 1-3% (nearly level to gently sloping land). Rest of the soil profiles were in 0-1% sloping lands. The structure of pedons varied from single grain, granular, angular blocky to sub-angular blocky in type, structureless to strong in grade and fine to medium in class. Soils of pedons 1(P-1 Ranipur, Yamunanagar), 2 (P-2 Mugalwali, Yamunanagar), 3 (P-3 Bansewala, Yamunanagar), 5 (Painsal-NB Yamunanagar), 6 (P-6 Mustafabad, Yamunanagar), 7(P-7 Ishargarh, Kurukshetra), 10 (P-10 Birdhana, Fatehabad) and 12 (P-12 Farwai-2, Sirsa) and surface horizon of pedon 11 (P-11 Farwai-1, Sirsa) exhibited sub-angular blocky structure due to low clay and low organic carbon content. The textural analysis of soil particles indicated that pedon 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 12 were light, pedon 7 was light to medium and pedon 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 were heavy in texture. The calcium carbonate concretions were present in pedon 10, 11 and 12 due to calcium containing parent rock which released calcium upon weathering and soil formation. The soils of pedon 2, 3, and 9 have a relative horizon distinctness (total) value of 20 each, pedon 7, 5, 6 and 10 have values 19, 17, 16 and 16 respectively and pedon 12 & 8 14 each. The relative profile development (total) value of the pedons varied from 16 to 33 being minimum in pedon 8 and maximum in pedon 11 and 5. . The horizon boundary, differences in moist colour, texture, structure, consistency, pH, and EC all had a role in the rating variation.