Characteristic and Genesis of Black and Red Soil Vertisol in Jeneponto Regency

Abstract

One of factors that is interasting from Vertisol to be investigated beside the management of the soil fertility was color variations which can vary from gray to brown and brownish red. Exclusive characteristics of Vertisol are shrink swell capacity with clay dominant clay that make agricultural activities in the Jeneponto area less productive. The purpose of this study was to assess the differences of physical and chemical characteristics of black and red Vertisol in Jeneponto R.egency. The research location was based on the difference and overlaying of soil color. Black soils were taken from the village Bontomarannu and Tonrokassi Timur while red soil and overlaying colors of red and black soil were taken from the village Sarroanging. Results showed that one of the chemical characteristic which was very differences between black and red soils were calcium carbonate and base saturation. Generally CaCO3 on black soil was higher (ranged of 13.20-36.73%) than  red soil (ranged of 2.21-13.86%). As for overlaying colors of red and black soil were ranged of 2.62-3.88%. The highest base saturation was found in the black soil that was> 100%, red soil between 40-89% and overlaying colors red and black soil between 80-83%.  While Fe, Mn and Al concentrations were highest with citrate dithionite bicarbonate extracts followed by oxalate and pyrophosphate extracts. Clay montmorillonite minerals were present in all profiles observed.