Physical and Chemical Properties of Vertisols and their Management

Abstract

Vert~sols, because of their high water-holding capacity, are suited to dryland
\ncrop production in =mi-arid environments with uncertain and heavy rainfall.
\nSelected physical and chemical properties of Vert~sols that affect their
\nmanagement for crop production are discussed. Due to their high clay content,
\nthe physical properties of Vertisols are greatly influenced by moisture content;
\nusually, thew soils an too sticky and unworkable when wet, and very hard
\nwhen dry. The soil moisture range in which the physical condition of Vertisols is
\nsultable for tillage and planting operations is quite narrow. Deep Vertisols have
\nimpeded drainage in the rainy season with consequent loss of trafficability;
\npoor air-water relations are suspected. Land management practices that
\nfacil~tatdt rainage and improve aeration, water intake and permeability of these
\nso~lnse ed to be evolved. Though generally of low fertility status, Vertisols offer
\nopportunilics for better crop production in semi-arid areas with erratic rainfall
\ncompared with other soil orders found in these regions; this is mainly due to
\ntheir high moisture-holding capacity which allows crops to grow or survive for
\nlonger periods.