Morphology and classification of some soils of Amadiya District, Northern Iraq

Abstract EN

To achieve the objectives of this research, soil profiles were described and studied according to the methods used worldwide in morphological study of the soil profile, seven typical pedons were selected, depending on the topography, nature of land surface and prevailing vegetation cover.

Generally, field description of study pedons showed contrasting in morphological properties and this belongs to the intensity of pedogenic processes.

The results of the morphological study emphasized, all study pedons were development with exception pedon (5) consider un-development and including (A and C) master horizons.

Morphological results about soil development proved by physical and chemical criteria (ClB/ClA and CaCO3B/CaCO3A) and both of them indicated to development of study soils in all pedons regardless pedon (5).

Texture was silty clay to loamy, soil structure was granular to crumb.

The results also showed dark red color for most study pedons.

The implications explained the differences in horizons thickness with difference in pedon position, which reflects the influence of the pedogenic processes, particularly the topography and land use.

On the basis of morphological and physicochemical properties, the soil pedons were classified up to sub group level according to the USDA Soil Taxonomy, so the study soils in all pedons were classified as Typic Haploxerolls, whereas classified in pedon (5) classified as Entic Haprendolls