Vol. 11, Special Issue 8 (2022)

Author(s):
Tadi Rajasekhar and Vaidya

Abstract:
Aurangabad district is located in the north central part of Maharashtra between 19°15’ and 20°40’ N latitude and 74°37’ and 75°52’E Longitude. The mean maximum temperature 39.7 °C, the mean minimum temperature is 24.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 619 mm. The elevation of the district was 500 meters above mean sea level. The length of growing period 145 and humidity period is 101 days. The geographical area is 10, 107 Sq.km. The soils of the study area were shallow to deep, very dark grey (10 YR 1/3) to light brown (10 YR 5/4) in colour, loamy to clay in texture and granular to angular blocky in structure, non-sticky non plastic to very sticky to very plastic in nature. The bulk density of the soil varied 1.23 to 1.63 Mg m^-3. Hydraulic conductivity range between 1.4 to 5.13 cmhr^-1. Clay content varies from 14.9 to 54.00 percent. The soils of the study area alkaline in nature and it was varying from 7.8 to 8.8. The electrical conductivity varies from 0.15 to 0.46 dSm^-1. The maximum CEC was recorded in Typic Haplusterts (31.23 to 60.13 c.mol/(P+) kg^-1), as compared to Typic Haplustepts, and Lithic Ustorthents. The soil fertility status was found low to high. Taxonomically this soil classified into Lithic Ustorthents Typic and Calcic Haplustepts and Typic and Calcic Haplusterts.