Status of Morphological and Physico-chemical Properties of Balh Valley Soils of Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh in North Western Himalayas India

Background: Himachal Pradesh (India) lying in North West Himalayas were studied for their morphological, physical and chemical properties. Pradesh, is a mountainous region spread over an area of 55,673 km² with elevation ranging from 350 to 6,500 meters above mean sea level noticeably increased west east south north. For agricultural planning, development the sustainable use natural resources. The state has been categorized into four agro-climatic situations viz. low hills, mid hills sub humid, high temperate dry temperate. However, considerable variations exist within each zone, owing soil type local preferences resulting diversified farming situations. Methods: A six profile sites soils collected randomly vegetable cereals growing areas falling under midhill zone. After collecting samples, these air dried analyzed study determined availability nutrients know fertility status areas. Result: results show that are deep, well drained, silty loam clay dark brown brownish yellow colour. No gravels noticed upto 0.6 m depth consistency was firm loose. Few many black concretions observed only rice soils. Silty dominant texture irrespective depth. Coarse sand fraction more all profiles. Macro micronutrients contents higher than paddy maize In none except Dhangu, illuviation had observed. values bulk density, particle density porosity variable depending upon organic carbon other characteristics. slightly acidic neutral reaction, medium moderate available N, P K status. DTPA-extractable Fe, Zn, Cu Mn also Similarity colour most indicated influence parent material.