Taxonomic Classification of Soils in the Vitalapura Sub-watershed of Kadur Taluk, Chikkamagaluru District, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Soil taxonomic classification is essential for understanding soil variability and guiding sustainable land-use planning in watershed ecosystems. In this study, nine representative soil pedons from the Vitalapura sub-watershed of Kadur taluk, Chikkamagaluru district, were examined for their morphological, physical, and chemical characteristics and classified according to the Keys to Soil Taxonomy (Soil Survey Staff, 2017). The classification followed a hierarchical approach considering diagnostic horizons, soil moisture and temperature regimes, and key physico-chemical properties. The soils of the sub-watershed were broadly categorized into two major soil orders, with further differentiation at suborder, great group and subgroup levels. All pedons belonged to the isohyperthermic temperature regime, reflecting the climatic conditions of the region. The study identified multiple soil series and soil phases, providing a detailed pedological framework for the area. These results offer valuable baseline information for land evaluation, crop planning, and effective soil and watershed management in the region.