Abstract:

The mechanical composition is a most basic information of soil and plays important role in soil structure. It is affected by parent material, climate, topography, biological activity and human activity. According to 333 red soil profile data from Records of Soil Types in China and some local soil records, we researched the degree of parent material and land use influence on the mechanical composition of red soil. Results reveal that both parent material and land use have some impact on the mechanical composition, but the former has larger impact than the latter does. Parent material explains 25% of the mechanical composition variation, and that number increases with soil depth increase. This research is a theoretical support for red soil improvement and application.

Key words: mechanical composition of soil, parent material, land use, red soil, variation