Properties and classification of irrigated and non-irrigated Vertisols formed under Mediterranean climate

Abstract

Vertisols occur in various parts of the world and should be studied for their convenient use and management. The purpose of this study was to investigate morphological characteristics with physical and chemical properties of irrigated and non-irrigated Vertisols formed under Mediterranean climate. The investigated soils are commonly used for intensive agriculture and pasture in the area. Overall, studied soils have deep solum, strong blocky structure, dark color and they are loaded with bases (mostly Ca⁺² and Mg⁺²) and inadequate in terms of organic matter. Adverse factors affecting to soil productivity were determined as summer drought, heavy clay and low organic matter. During field studies, a hard-pan was observed under the plow layer in agriculture fields and it was obvious that this layer was formed due to inaccurate soil tillage. However, there was no hard-pan formation in soils formed under pasture. On the basis of morphological properties and physicochemical analysis, soil profiles were classified as Chromic Calcixerert and Chromic Haploxerert according to the Soil Taxonomy and as Calcic Hypereutric Vertisol and Haplic Hypereutric Vertisol according to the WRB soil classification systems. In addition, this study provides useful soil data for a sustainable soil management. Globally the results of this study can also be used for to compare with the other studies on Vertisols in wherever they are recognized.