Entisols

Diagnostic horizons

Entisols are weakly developed mineral soils. Most of them have an ochric epipedon and a few have agric epipedons. Some of them have albic endopedons. 

If you do not know about the diagnostic horizons, then click here.

Productivity

The productivity of Entisols ranges from very high to very low. Entisols formed in recent alluvium (fluvents) are quite productive soils whereas Entisols formed in shifting sand or on steep rocky slope have low productivity. With adequate fertilizer and a controlled water supply, some Entisols are quite productive. Entisols developed on alluvial floodplains are the most productive soils in the world.

Characteristics

Entisols are called young soils. On parent material such as lava flows or recent alluvium, there has benn too little time for much soil formation. In extremely dry areas, scarcity of water and vegetation may inhibit soil formation. Frequent saturation with water (Aquents) may delay soil formaiton. 

Some Entisols occur on steep slope where rate of soil erosion may exceed the rate of soil formaiton, thus preventing the development of soil horizon.

Distribution

Globally Entisols occupy about 16% of the total ice free land area. 

Entisols are common in Rocky and Mountainous regions, shallow regions etc.

Sandy Entisols are found in Sahara desert, Southern Africa, Central Australia, South eastern U.S. coastal plain. 

Poorly drained and seasonally flooded Entisols occur in major river valleys.

Use

Psamments in the humid southern United States are used for citrus, vegetable and peanut production. Fluvents in Asia have been used to produce rice crops.
The agricultural productivity of the Entisols varies greatly depending on their location and properties..

Suborders

Now, it is time to know about the suborders of Entisols. We already have some knowledge on Entisols. Now these are the suborders:

• Aquents (Wet Entisols)
• Arents (Entisols that have mixed horizon)
• Fluvents (Entisols formed on recent alluvium)
• Orthents (Typical Entisols)
• Psamments (sandy Entisols)

Reference

Brady, N.C. The nature and properties of soils. 13th Edition.