Coarse Fraction Mineral Assemblage and Genesis of the Salt - Affected Soils of South-West Punjab

摘要

Mineralogical assemblage of the coarse fraction of some soils of the South-West Punjab which forms a part of the Indus plains has been studied. Four physiographic units viz. alluvial terraces, interdunal area, sand dunes and palaeochannels were observed in the study area. Soils were alkaline in reaction with low to moderately high electrical conductivity at many sites. Soils were generally calcareous and have low organic carbon content. In the various horizons of these soils, feldspars followed by quartz were the dominant minerals. Among the feldspars plagioclase feldspars (0.321-0.328 nrn) and orthoclase feldspars (0.312 to 0.323 nm), both have been identified. The content of mica (1.0 nm) was variably less than the quartz and feldspars in most horizons.