Morphology, Genetic Relationships and Classification of Soils of Selected Micro-Watersheds in North-west India Manuscript Number: 4044 NAAS Rating: 5.79 Abstract: Nine pedons representing the typical landforms of micro-watersheds in Chhachhrauli block of Yamunanagar, Haryana were exposed to determine the interrelationships and variability of soil characteristics. The colour of pedons was yellowish brown with dominant hue of 10YR. Soil structure was weak to strong, fine to medium, sub angular blocky across the pedons. The consistency of different pedons varied from non-sticky non-plastic to sticky plastic and soil texture varied from sand to loam with predominance of sand than clay in all the pedons. Bulk density, particle density and available water content across all the pedons varied from 1.01 to 1.75 Mg m , 2.50 to 2.65 Mg m and 1.01 to −3 −3 16.38%, respectively. The pH ranged from 4.20 to 8.30 across all the profiles indicating acidic to alkaline nature of the soils. The soils were low to high in soil organic carbon (SOC). In all soils, SOC varied from 0.06 to 2.54 per cent and was higher in surface horizons than subsurface horizons. The CaCO content in pedons 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 was <1% suggesting nearly complete decalcification in these soils. The exchangeable 3 complex of the soils was dominated by Ca followed by Mg, Na and K. Broadly the physiography and land use considerably influenced the value of total exchangeable bases. Relatively higher content of nutrients was observed in the surface horizons compared to subsurface horizons. The results demonstrated that, in general, varying SOC concentrations are associated with varying slope positions of the pedons, highlighting the significance of landform location in regulating soil water content as well as the SOC concentration. The geomorphic location of each pedon across the watersheds has influenced strongly the movement of solutes and therefore soil development. The soils of the study area were classified as sandy, mixed, hyperthermic, typic Ustipsamments (Pedon 1), fine loamy Ustochrepts (Pedon 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) and coarse loamy Ustorthents (Pedon 4). Keywords: Exchangeable bases, Landform, Micro-watershed, Nutrients, Pedon, Soil development Dinesh Tomar and Mohammad Amin Bhat 1 Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004, India 1 Regional Research Station, Punjab Agricultural University, Ballowal Saunkhri, SBS Nagar-144 521, India E-mail: bhatamin8@gmail.com Indian Journal of Ecology (2023) 50(5): 1251-1264 DOI: https://doi.org/10.55362/IJE/2023/4044 Soil is indispensable natural resource for sustaining life on the earth, therefore, appraisal of soil is imperative for determining productivity and resilience of the ecosystem (Satish et al 2018). The characterization of soil imparts the knowledge about morphological, physical, chemical, microbial and mineralogical characteristics of the soil which are immensely important for crop growth, nourishing forests and grasslands. Contrarily, soil classification aids to organize knowledge, exchange of experience and technology from place to place and helps in comparison of soil characteristics (Devi et al 2015). Soil is a unique natural resource and should be used prudently for sustainable development with minimum environmental risks. On the grounds of meagre knowledge about soil characteristics, soils are easily degraded due to misuse and mismanagement. The pedological assessment and classification of soils of a specific area is imperative for identification of its potential and limitations for increased and sustainable crop production. The purpose of soil characterization is to classify soils and measure physical and chemical characteristics, that could indicate the ability of the soil to function, not readily apparent from field study (Sanchez et al 2003). Therefore, the insight of soil involves marking its geographic location and extent besides discerning morphological, physico-chemical and fertility properties based on its geomorphic-soil relationship (Kharlyngdoh et al 2015). Watershed is a naturally occurring hydrologic unit defined by natural boundaries, classified on the basis of geographical area, which carries runoff to a common point along a single waterway (Bhardwaj 2020, Sahoo et al 2021). Characterization of watershed can be utilised to determine the limitation and potentials of soil based on detailed information about the soil properties. Knowledge gained through characterization of soils can provide basic information to farmers and indigenous knowledge can be integrated with scientific approaches for the systematic management of watershed . Based on the profile-wise s information, soil management practices specific to that region can be recommended to farmers and other stakeholders for its judicious use. Consequently, this will lead to sustainable agriculture along with environmental protection (Mohammed et al 2017). Information on the type of soil, morphological, physical and chemical attributes of agricultural soils in Haryana, northwest India is essential for