Is Vertisols good for plant growth?
Vertisols are clay-rich soils that undergo significant vertical cracking during the dry seasons. Typically forming under grassland vegetation in basin or rolling hill landscapes, they are best suited for use as pastureland and for the cultivation of plants, such as rice, that thrive in standing surface water.
What are Ethiopian Vertisols?
ABSTRACT Vertisols (deep black clay soils, often known as “black cotton soils”) cover 8 million ha of the Ethiopian highlan account for about 70 percent of all highland soils with slopes between 0 and 8 percent.
Where can you find Vertisols?
Vertisols are most commonly formed in warm, subhumid or semi-arid climates, where the natural vegetation is predominantly grass, savanna, open forest, or desert shrub. Large areas of Vertisols are found in Northeastern Africa, India, and Australia , with smaller areas scattered worldwide.
Where are Vertisols found in India?
Vertisols occur extensively in central India and have high production potentials. Because of the high clay content (40-60% or more), high bulk density (1.5-1.8 Mg m-3) and related properties, these soils have high moisture storage capacity. Conversely, these soils become very hard when dry and very sticky when wet.
What crops grow best in vertisols?
When irrigation is available, crops such as cotton, wheat, sorghum and rice can be grown. Vertisols are especially suitable for rice because they are almost impermeable when saturated.
What type of soil is vertisols?
clayey soils
Vertisols are are clayey soils that have deep, wide cracks for some time during the year. They shrink as they dry and swell as they become moist. The natural vegetation is predominantly grass, savanna, open forest, or desert shrub.
Where are vertisols found in Ethiopia?
Ethiopia ranks third in Vertisols abundance in Africa after Sudan and Chad [13]. More than half (8.6 Mha) of the Vertisols are found in the central highlands with altitude of more than 1500 meters above sea level (masl) [13, 14]. About 25 % (1.9 Mha) of the Vertisols occurring in the highlands are cultivated [15].
Are vertisols fertile?
Vertisols are highly fertile due to their high clay content; however, water tends to pool on their surfaces when they become wet. Vertisols are located in areas where the underlying parent materials allow for the formation of expansive clay minerals. They occupy about 2% of the glacier-free land surface.
How vertisols are formed?
Vertisols (from Latin verto, “turn”) are clay-rich soils that shrink and swell with changes in moisture content. During dry periods, the soil volume shrinks and deep wide cracks form. The soil volume then expands as it wets up.
What is the meaning of vertisols?
noun. a clay-rich soil in which deep cracks form during the dry season.
How are vertisols formed?
In which district vertisols soil are found?
5. Vertisols. Districts: Jhalawar, Kota, Bundi and small part of Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur, Dungarpur, Chittorgarh and Banswara. They are clayey soils that develop deep wide cracks when dry and become sticky & plastic when wet.