The soil survey experiment was conducted on “Morphological characteristics in representative soil series of Western Maharashtra region”. Total nine representative soil series (Thejoda, Kolyachiwadi, Masala, Sonawadi, Ranjani, Jaipur, Valwa, Manjra and Bodla) were selected for soil profile study in different nine district of Western Maharashtra region viz., Nashik, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Satara, Pune, Jalgaon, Sangli, Kolhapur and Dhule, respectively. These were studied at the original sites where the soil series first studied as per technical bulletin of soil series of Maharashtra published by National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning. The soil profiles of Thejoda, Kolyachiwadi, Masala, and Sonawadi soil series classified under Typic, Fluventic, Vertic Haplustept (Inceptisols), The soil profile of Jaipur and Valwa soil series were classified under Typic Haplustert (Vertisol), Ranjni and Bodla soil series were classified under Lithic and Typic Ustorthent (Entisol) and Manjra soil series was classified under Udic Haplustalf (Alfisols). As per soil order various soil series representing soil profile differ in their morphological properties with depth in soil profile. Clayey texture was observed in Typic/Vertic Inceptisols and Vertisol and clay loam to sandy clay loam in Alfisol and Entisols. Colour of soil ranged from 10YR 3/2 to 6/4 in all the soil profile except 2.5 to 5YR 3/2 to 3/3 in Alfisol and 7.5YR 4/4 in Entisol (pedons). Soil structure subangular at surface of all the pedons and angular blocky at subsurface were found in Vertic Inceptisol (soil profile of Masala and Sonawadi soil series) and Vertisol in soil profile of Jaipur and Valwa soil series. The soil consistency (dry condition) was hard to very hard in all the soil profiles except dry slight hard in Alfisols and Entisols of soil profile of Manjra and Bodla soil series, respectively. The soil consistency under wet condition was slight to very sticky and plastic to very plastic in all the soil profiles. The effervesce was ranged from slight to violent in all the soil profiles except nil in Manjra soil series of Alfisols.

Sulphur, Morphology, Soil colour, Soil depth, Soil structure, Soil texture and Soil consistency

Bodla and Ranjni soil series was categorized in to very shallow whereas, Masala and Thejoda soil series categorized as medium deep and Kolyachiwadi, Sonawadi, Valwa and Jaipur were categorized in to very deep soil. Structure of all the soil series generally subangular at surface and angular blocky structure at subsurface was found in Masala and Sonawadi soil series. Most of soil series found clayey texture and clay loam to sandy clay loam in Majra and Bodla soil series. Colour of soil ranged from 10YR 3/2 to 6/4 in all soil series except 2.5 to 5YR 3/2 to 3/3 in Manjra and 7.5YR 4/4 in Bodla soil series. The consistency under wet condition was slight to very sticky and plastic to very plastic in all the soil series under study. The effervesce was ranged from slight to violent in all the soil profiles except nil in Manjra soil series.

Subhash Ghodke, Ranjitsinh Nimbalkar, Kirankumar Ombase and Anil Durgude (2025). Morphological Characteristics in Representative Soil Series of Western Maharashtra. International Journal of Theoretical & Applied Sciences, 17(1): 45–50.