Abstract

ACEVEDO-SANDOVAL, O; VALERA-PEREZ, MA  and  PRIETO-GARCIA, F. Physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of forest soils in Acaxochitlan, state of Hidalgo, Mexico. Universidad y ciencia [online]. 2010, vol.26, n.2, pp.137-150. ISSN 0186-2979.

The state of Hidalgo has a total surface of 2 110 573 ha, of which 22 % has characteristically acid soils that need to be evaluated to determine the physico-chemical factors that will allow the development of agricultural practices that will improve their use in forestry or agriculture. The objectives of this study were a) to determine the physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of the acid soils in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, and b) to classify the soils following the criterium of the IUSS Working Group WRB (2006). The soils present good drainage, soil colours that vary from 10YR4/3 to 5YR4/4 (Munsell Color Chart), a bulk density lower than 1 Mg m^-3, a particle density from 1.54 to 2.15 MG m^-3, soil textures are loam, sandy loam and clay, the pH (in water 1:2.5) varied from 6.7 to 4.9, slightly acid to very acid; a high CEC (average of 30 cmol+kg^-1), and organic matter geater than 4% in the surface horizons. The clay fraction is characterised by kaolinite, halloysite 7 Å and iron oxides (goethite). The sequence of free oxides in the Bt horizons is: Fe₂O₃ > Al₂O₃ > SiO₂ , which indicates a stage of advanced mineral weathering. The soils were classified as different Alisols (IUSS Working Group WRB, 2006).

Keywords : Alisols; Fe and Al oxyhydroxides; forest soils; mineralogy; Mexico.