International Journal of Agricultural Research ISSN 1816-1997 © 2006 Academie journals Degree of Soil Development in Some Alfisols of Subtropical India with Special Reference to the Nature and Distribution of Fe and AL ‘A. Seal, ‘R. Bera, ‘P. Bhattacharyya, 'K. Mukhopadhyay and R. Gisi 'NBSS and LUP (CAR), Block-DK,, Seotor-If, Salt Lake City, Kolkata, West Bengal, India "West Bengal State Council of Science and Technology, Bikash Bhawan, Salt Lake City. Kolkata, West Bengal, India “institute of Agricultural Science, Caloutta University, Kotkata, West Bengal, India Abstract: Different extractants were used to determine various forms of Fe and Alin three soil profiles from different parts of West Bengal, India. The mean contents of Fe and Al extracted by diferent extracting reagents were Found tobe in descending order as follows ‘Alla > Allg > Alby std Fejg > Feg,> Fay Analysis of pyrophosphate, oxalate and dlthionaie extractable Fe and AL showed that with increasing soil age, the erystalline Fe and Al oxides increased at the expense of the poorly enjstalline form, The mean content of amorphous Fe and Al, crystalline Pe and Al and thei ratio values estimated the egies of soil development and were found to be in the following descending order ‘Matta > Anandapus > Migindih > Kasiper. Coelation between different formns of Fe and Al and selected soil properties were examined, Multiple regression equations were ‘omulated to show the interelatonship among different soil propetis an ferent forms, of Fe and Al Key words Pasogenic proces, soil, forms of Fe, forms of Al Introduction Distribution of different forms of ion and aluminum in sil is important in order to understand Fe and Al chemistry, physicochemical properties and the sel forming process, Profile distribution of dierent forms of Fe and Al oxides particularly dithionite and oxalate extractable Fe and Al serve as usefi nicators to identify the horizon of accumulation of sccorlary oxides (Bera eal, 2005) ancl depth of aril horizon (Doli and Chakraborty, 1998; Dolui and Chattopadhyay, 1997). The Fe and ‘Allwe leased during the weathering of Fe and Al beasing patent materials, They are re-precipitated in the soils as oxides or hydroxide and oxybidroxide of iron and aluminium, The quant of these alteration produets generally increased with soil age (Dolui and Bera, 2001). The amount and distribution of extractable Fe and Al oxides in soil profiles indicate the stage and degree of scil development (Mahaney and Fahey, 1988). However, very meager information is available on the degrevof soil development and the direction of pedogenic processes in the alfisols developed under subtropical environment in India, The present study is intended to investigate the different forms of Fe and Al und the interelationship among themselves as well as with Some important sci characteristics in relation to pedogente processes in some altisls of West Bengal, Ini, Corresponding Author: Dr. P, Bacarra, J, West Beng! Sate Council of Scince and Techlog, Bike ‘Bhavan, Sak Lae Cy, Koka 7001, West Bega, nda Te. # 91-33-26618751Int J. Agric. Res, 1: CCC, 2006 ‘Materials and Methods Four sil profiles belonging to Alfisols (Anandapus, Kasipus, Matimehal and Miggindit in West Bengal, India were selected for the present investigation. The study was undettaken in NBSS and LUP in2004, The profiles were classified according to Soil Survey Staff (1998), The Anandpur series belongs to fin, mixed, hyperthenmie Ultie Pelewstlls, Kesipur series to fine oamy, mixed hhyperthemic Typic Haplustlls, Matimubal series to fine, nixed, hypertheric Typie Paleustalls and Mirgindih series to fine loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Ultic Palcustls Soils of cach horizon were prooested (<2 mm) and used for analysis, The physicochemical properties of the soils were determined by the standard methods (Jackson, 1973) and are presented in Table 1. Fraction of Fe and Al were determined in the soil by separate extractions with () sodium pyrophosphate, overnight ‘extraction at pH 10 (Agriculture Canada, 1984), i acid ammonium cxalat (0.2), four hour extraction at pH 3 (Agriculture Caneds, 1984), (ii) dicurbonate-citate-bieurbonale, 20 min extraction twiee (CSSC Subcommittee on Methods of Analysis, 1978), Fe and Al in the extract was determined colerimetsically using Orthophenanteoline and “Alizarin red S" seagent, respectively by Chen end He (1985) and Parker and Goddard (1950), ‘Table 1: Pysicoshemicl properties othe sie PH FH Specie Gignle ‘Paice sie diribaion gms) CEC Dept 0259 25) conbuctmee exten eae cen HO Ka asym) (ke) Sad sit Cl Teme kt Pedon A Ananda Sere: Fie raked hyprterle Ul Palatal Boo se 4a ats 3028 La Balas = S42 4a 26 el Bi26s1 | S7L 47206 oss a ass ea Best © 42 S12 0 OL © 102 Bsaci 59) 492s 0 oD . 88 Mean 7046808 192s 3st a 79 elo Kapa StH ary. perm pi He Sa dea DOR 2I6 1s war @2 $8 not ie Enos a 67 635838002 04s 477 oar rl 8a pase 6st 550) om aL el 8a BL WLI 64572 nOl ox 48l 2 rl 8? Mem as $33 non os oS m7 eda C: Matnahal Seis: Fine mised bypetiemie Typic Pletal apoll $7 dee 20 Sata BAN2s Goo 582s 10 3 Tek 5 i262 = G2 Sad 10 2a ae Bee 6st $471 0 = OMe Mean 625 $43 od 1m 2% Ssh Fei ink See: Fry veer ie all p09 a8 ST OE S36 308 a 82 Basa = $26 420k te 8s i269 = 542439 om = 50 at Prey pasos G4) $22, 030 is el Me BSsGIsir G00 Sok DOG 020 28 m2 Mes S943 no. on 0 bel__109Int J. Agric. Res, 1: CCC, 2006 Result and Discussion ‘The data on the amount of Fe and Al extracted by different extractant, some rats, their relationship with soil properties and among themselves are presented in Table 2-4. Pyrophosphate extractant dissolved the faction of iton (Loveland and Digby, 1984) and Al (Drisell et a, 1985) ‘bound with organic matter. The faction of ion (0.0540.14 g kg~, mean 0.09 g kg~) decreased ‘with depth, The faction of Al followed the same trend varying from 0.06-0.17 g kg" with mean of 0.11 g ke, Comparisen of amount of Fe a Al extacted by pyrophosphate in different soil series ‘indicated that the largest Fe and Al was obtained fem Matimahal series followed by Anandapur, Mitgindih and Kasipur series. Comparatively more Al vas extracted, which may be due to the fact that the present materials are sich in Al or Because pyrophosphate is not very specific for organic complexed Al, disslving inceganic Al ccmpournds as well (Deli and Mazumdar, 2003) ‘Acid ammoniuun oxalate extractable Fe and Al-Oxalate extracnt has been used to dissolve amorphous Fe and Al hydroxides and xynyronides from sol (MeKexgue ea, 1971), Al compounds associaed with organic mutter are also extracted as amorphous alumino-siicates inching allophane and imogolite (Koda and Ross, 1991), Oxalate dissolved both ‘amorphous’ and orgaieally ‘bound forms of Fe and Al, bat not the crystalline forms (Paritt and childs, 1988). This Form of Fe (0.15.0.72 g kg™, mean 0.50 g kg™) was more in illuvial horizon of all the soil series indicating ‘tanslocation of Fe, The faction of Al(0.18-088 g kg, mean 0.6 g kg) followed the same trend ‘Table 2: Exractable Fe and Al onder of te sie Pyros Gabe ects Ditionae enable (eke Denham) _f A ga eA Pedon A (Ananiap Seis) ou oxe oss oe 126 be O38 ta 2ws1 Ds a7 205 sis om a a $9:120 bee oss 2s Peden (Saint Seties) out 08 o10 ois as 056 om bes 009 on D6 oat on 1a * 006 007 bss 9s 16 189 Miso 905 006 bst fs 138 um Mean 007 008 baz ast 1 10 Peden (Matin Series) ° @ 016 oe ost on 0% 136 ous on be 36 14 1st 2s 01 ons bso on te 203 38:120 008 on 168 08h 176 218 Mem on ou bss fs 10 i Padon (righ Series) 9.36 008 10 938. 046 094 1? 2a one 010 os an 136 Ls $9.86 006 007 bee 076 1st 130 Mem 007 008 ost 98 im 1sInt J. Agric. Res, 1: CCC, 2006 ‘Table 5: ifr forms of Feand Al ofthese Deptnien)— Amoniasieke") Cystine @he) —_Dewwe dation FeO, ALO, Fe, ALO, OfFe—OFal omnia olay PeFey Cll fe) (AleaL) (Fa Fep) (AMAL) Clie Cn andr ei) 02 0ST} 036k M.D BS os 0s m2? a3 ORB NT oe 06 2 1H 039030 220k Mem ag O51 19 038 037g? ae edo B (air seis) ou 007 om 082 aT aaa aTLer oat 99 o3s7 oe oat os 1s 0% 2098 ome oe 109 osama Men 035 on ose 03621755 edon C(Motenaa eis) oI ou 056 039k na 032 om 098 = 037 as 10 oat 1st 03603625831 O55 Ol 1350380 ara 039 tog 138k 0 os loose 037 Peden Orin series) 09 om oss 039 ngs 926 030 086 0417138 aes O40 07 a8 om 21250 5386 056 ois 040 goa O38 095 Le 040 Mea oss 07s 098 030 ‘probubly due to the deposition of translocated Al-flvate complex, prcteimogolite and hydroxy polymers of aluminum (Farmer ef al, 1980) in the hoxizons. So the diffrence betwoon malate and pyrophosphate extractable Fe and Al gave a measure of amorphous inorganic Pe and Al {(Dolui and Bera, 2001; Doli andl Chakraborty, 1998). Data (Table 3) shows that amorphous Fe (Pe,-Fe,) ofthe soil ranged fom 0070.63 g hs! ‘with mean of 0.41 kg” witha wide variation among the Sols. Amorphous Al (AA) ofthe Soils varied fom 0.08-0.76g kg~ with an average of 0.50 kg”. The data presented provides evidence that an appronimate differentiation can be made between erpanically complexed Fe and Al and amorphous inorganie Fe and Alby selective extraction of sis with pyrophosphate and oat, Te large apparent increase inthe quantities of Fe.-Fepy And Alay Aly sugeested shift towurds inorganic, pedogenic ‘phases. atthe expense of organically bound phase (ets e al, 1992) although non-rysalline Fe and ‘Al do not have a definite composition or stueture and are ely poorly define, thee is probably no procs ifleentation betwen crystalline and non-erstaline material. The microprobe investigation ‘of Norrish and Rossier (1983) indicated that amorphous or microerystaline Fe and AL oxides were unlikely to exist as separate ens in soils Dithionite-eitrate-bicarbonate (DCB) extractable Fe anc A Two dissolution reagentsin prticalar are common @) acid ammonium cxalats (pH 3) fr extraction of ron erytallin Fe and Al and Gi) dithionite cittate-bicarbonate (DCB) for extraction of ron-rystaline plus erytaline Fe and AL. in the DCB procedure (Mehra and Jaesen, 1960), dithionite isa powerful reuctant. Bicarbonate buffersInt J. Agric. Res, 1: CCC, 2006 ‘Table: Conebtion between fms of Fan Al anderen oi properties Parmer Es rf Fe al Te zn ty ah 996 Re 0258 nas al “270 268 ass te 25 "am aoa AL 026 0200 asa Pile “0539 329 fa" Phin “oa ve ans Organic nae nme asst cyasiae hay 0208 0316 asi si" ai cee. ose oss asaiee nrg ne oti * Sigiiantat level, Sign at evel ‘essen (pH 79) and sai citrate sade to prevent the epecipitation of dissolved e and Al ‘Borggaard, 1988), The procedure dissclves bath non-erytaline and crying Fe and Al oxides, extracts may also include small ameunt of water soluble, exchangeable and organically our Feat Al andmited amount of Fe and Al bearing silicates (Borgpsd, 1988). The difference between the values obtained by the two methods represent the amount of Fe and Al prot in definite cystine fom (Dou ef, 1988, Dlui an Chakraborty, 1998). The Fey ofthe sis showed @ vatation of 056-184 fg” wih anaverage of 1 30g Ig! The Alyg ofthe sas showed avaation 0 070-2.27 ekg with anaverape of 1.61 pkg" The comigration of Fe and Al with clay is evident bythe rato of clay/Fexg and elay/Alyg in feet sil pois, which increased with the increase of depth with of exceptions i all the sil series, Within the profile where hesizon fermations wall expeesed and established, the raio increased with depth (Dolu an Bera, 2001), This suggested that Fe and Al onde movement is patally indzpendent of clay movement, The eo-nigration of clay with e and AL in oer sels have been reported by Dalat and Bera 2001) Doi and Mazur, 2003) ‘he DCB extmet Fe al Al values wore higher thn the acid ammonium ovate extracted Fe and Al values in all the soils studied indicating that a considerable faction was present in crytalie form, Crystalline Fe (Foy-Fe,.) in the soils raged from 0.41-1.12 8 kg with an average 0f0.80g ke while erysline Al (Aya) the sts vate om 052-140 g ke with an average of 1.60 gg. High temperature an prolonged dry season (45 mons anally) mey be responsible for high amount of eystlline Fe and Al faction in these sails The ati of Fe, JF egg and Al-/Alg inthe slurs of all the cis was low being less han one ‘This sapprts the fet that ro Fe and Al exids in most of thas soils ware at an advanced stage of crystal or ageing (Mahaney eta, 1991) and supports the foemtion of alfsls which formed de to prokonges weathering. With the inreasng sil age, the crane Fe and Al oxides increased atthe expense ofthe pody eryslln: forms. This wend was reflected inthe rao of Fe /Feqq and ‘Al/Alags Which decreases with increasing soil age (Mahaney and Fahey, 1988). According to Mahaney et at (1990, soils with high rales were younger soil where as low ratio indicted ‘older sis The mean Fe and Alrato of al the series were low, varying fom 0.27 to 012 mean 0.38) and 026 to 0.42 with mean of 0.38, respectively, which suggested that sils could be oldst, or weathering could have progressed relatively well to advanced sige, which is also the charactoristcs feature of lisa latertclationship among different forms-Acid ammonium extactale Fe was positively and gifcanlyceneloed(0.984**) with DCB extractable Fe, Similar trend was observed in case of AlInt J. Agric. Res, 1: CCC, 2006 (0.982) also. Similar typeof relationship was reported by Doli era. (1987), Doli and Bera (2001). ‘The close positive careation suggested that Fe, and Fe,., (also Alyy and Al) were function of the same pedological factors and more importantly that both extractants removed essentially the same form of Fe and Al Table 4) Relationship with soil propertios-pH of the soils was found to have significant effect on the availability of the different forms of Fe and Al. Pyrophosphate extractable Fe and Al showed Significant positive correlation with onganic carbon, whereus significant negative correlation was ‘observed between acid ammonium oxalate extracted Fo and Al with organie earban, The significant correlation of clay with Fegq provides an indication thet this tration might have been present within the crystal lattice or sorbed on the surface and the inttlayer of clay and iron oxides (Heaekers and Web, 1962), The calion exchange capacity gives a measure of the total negative earges ‘of the colloid andi soil it may be correlated tothe availabilty of Fe and Al ftom the charge sites, Fractionation of sol Fe and Al by sequential extraction is useful in determining various forms of| Fe and Al inscils. Present investigation suppods the findings of cher workers (Walia and Reo, 1999, Sidhu er af, 2000; Nayak era, 2002; Bhowmick er a,2004) who worked upon the pedogenesis of alisols of India The findings also support the fet thatthe amount and distribution of extractable Fe ‘and Al oxides in scl profiles serve as indicators ofthe stage and degree of sol development specially insubircpical climatic environment, However further comparative study is required. taking different {ype of soils originating fom different parent materials and developed under different micro-climatic ‘conditions to establish these relationships in Indian soils, References ‘Agsicule Canada, 1984, Analytical Methods Manual, Shelévick, BH. (Ed). Land Resource Research Institute, Ottawa, LLRI Contribution, pp: 84-90. Pera, R., A. Seal, M. Banerjee and A.K. 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