Bahan Kuliah SESI-10: TANAH VERTISOLS

13/06/2021
Bahan Kuliah SESI-10
Semester IV
Tricahyono, NH
Pendidikan Geografi FKIP
Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. HAMKA
2021
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TANAH VERTISOLS
RINGKASAN VERTISOLS:
1. Vegetasi: lahan-berumput, pohon yg Tanah-tanah liat warna gelap yang
perakarannya dalam mengembang-mengkerut
2. Iklim: variasi musiman hujan dan suhu; 1. Beragam bahan induk, termasuk alluvial,
beracam resim suhu tanah, kecuali pergelic colluvial dan deposit lacustrine
3. Rezim lengas tanah: Rezim lengas-tanah 2. Marl and other calcareaous rocks,
erratik limestone, shales, igneous, metamorphic
4. Ciri tanah: kaya liat (dominais liat and volcanic rocks of basic nature
mengembang tipe 2:1 type ---> 3. Unconsolidated sediments which are
montmorillonit, smectite), KTK tinggi, dominantely basic in character and low in
permeabilitas rendah, bidang geser quartz
(slickensides) , mikro relief gilgai, warna 4. The parent material although variable in
gelap khroma rendah, BOT medium hingga origin, are rich in feldspars and ferro-
rendah (0.5 - 3 %) magnesian minerals and yield clay residues
5. Diagnostic horizons: cambic (argillic, on weathering
natric) 5. Vertisols may develop in situ from the
6. Epipedon: mollic parent materials. The smectites in these
7. Major processes: shrinking and swelling, soils could be derived from the original rock
pedoturbation or form as a result of neogenesis or
8. Characteristics: stage of weathering transformations from primary minerals.
relatively unadvanced or minimal, lack in 6. Ciri utama: kaya liat (dominasi liat
horizon differentiation mengembang tipe 2:1 -> montmorillonite,
smectite)
TANAH VERTISOLS
KONDISI LINGKUNGAN
Iklim
Vertisols ditemukan di hampir setiap zone iklim utama. Di Australia , Vertisols
berkembang di daerah-daerah dengan rezim air aridik, dan ada juga di zone Ustik
dan Xerik.
Generally, the seasonal variations in precipitation and temperature, which favor
the formation of smectitic clays as well as provide many of the physical attributes
of these soils, would be considered as prerequisites for the formation of Vertisols.
The variation in climatic conditions result in weathering of primary and secondary
minerals during wet season, but encourage the accumulation of basic cations in
the dry season.
Areas where Vertisols are found are characterized by a period when the potential
evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation (fry period). During periods with
sufficient moisture deficit cracking occurs, although the intensity in cold
temperature regions, is much lower than in the warmer regions.
Umumnya, curah hujan tinggi menghasilkan retakan-retakan yang intensif,

peningkatan kandungan BOT, dan peningkatan pencucian karbonat dan garam-
garam.
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TANAH VERTISOLS
KONDISI LINGKUNGAN
Vegetasi
Vegetasi alamiah yang berasisoasi dnegan ordo tanah ini sangat beragam. Tipe-
tipe vegetasi alamiah, hingga batas tertentu, dibatasi oleh sifat-sifat tanah, seperti
kandungan liat yg tinggi, sifat mengembang-mengkerut, dan struktur tanah. Sifat-
sifat tanah dan iklim membatasi tipe-tipe vegetasi seperti rumput dan pohon yang
tumbuhnya lambat dna perakarannya dalam (misalnya Acacia).
The main features of the natural vegetation in these soils are tolerance to
drought, as well as development of deep roots to overcome root damage by a
consequence of the annual cracking. Most Vertisols have has grassland or savanna
vegetation as the native vegetation, but some had formed under forest.
Present use of Vertisols comprise wheat, rice, cotton, and sorghum, pastureland in
the the south of the United States. Vertisols in India are used for grain legume, oil
seed crops, and cotton cultivated in a ridge and furrow system. In Australia most
Vertisols are used for grazing by sheep and cattle or dry land agriculture. Large
areas of Vertisols in Africa are largely un-utilized except for extensive grazing.
TANAH VERTISOLS
KONDISI RELIEF
Ada dua sekala yang berbeda, yaitu (i) makro, dan (ii) mikro.
1. Relief Makro : Vertisols umumnya ditemukan di daerah-daerah

dengan kemiringan tidak lebih dari 5 %, karena akan terjadi erosi
tanah yang intensif.. Sering kali daerah yang datar kekurangan
jaringan drainage, infiltration lambat, mengakibatkan genangan air di
permukaan.
2. Micro relief: Gilgai-relief. The development of gilgai-relief is due to

shrinking and swelling of Vertisols and soil movement, i.e., the soil
mass cannot re-occupy the original volume since surficial material
has fallen into the cracks during dry season. As such, part of the soil
mass is forced upwards forming the mounds (or knolls). The
formation of a mound provides a locally preferred site for the further
release of pressure, thereby perpetuating the formation of other
mounds and depressions in an area.
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TANAH VERTISOLS
BAHAN INDUK TANAH
Vertisols berkembang dari beragam bahan induk, termasuk alluvial, colluvial dan
deposit lacustrine, batuan marl dan batuan berkapur lainnya, limestone, shales,
igneous, batuan metamorf dan batuan vulkanik yang bersifat basis (alkalis). Bahan
induk vertisols ini dapat berasal dari allochtonous ataur autochthonous. Dalam
banyak kasus, bahan induk tanah merupakan endapan muda dan pembentukan
tanah masih pada fase awal.
Vertisols may develop in situ from the parent materials. The smectites (clay minerals)
in these soils could be derived from the original rock or form as a result of
neogenesis or transformations from primary minerals. A high pH and high potentials
of Si as well as Mg smectites develop, a process which is also favored by poor
drainage conditions. Calcareous parent material or unconsolidated sediments which
are dominantely basic in character and low in quartz favor the formation of Vertisols.
Anah-tanah ini berkembang di daerah dataran dengan bahan induk liat berkapur atau
calcareous atau residu pelapukan dari batuan sedimen yang lunak dan berkapur.
Vertisols di Australia berkembang dari bahan induk batuan basalt, di India vertisols
berkembang dari bahan induk gneisses daan sandstones.
The parent material although variable in origin, are rich in feldspars and ferro-
magnesian minerals and yield clay residues on weathering. Where parent materials
are not basic, alkaline earth elements can be added by seepage or by flood water.
TANAH VERTISOLS
KONDISI Sketch showing the kinematics of mass movement in
LINGKUNGAN Vertisols that result in gilgai microrelief (after
Beinroth, 1965)
Waktu - Time:
Kebanyakan Vertisols
berkembang pada
landscape muda, tetapi
juga ditemukan pada
permukaan geomorfik
tua.
It is believed that the

stage of weathering in
Vertisols is relatively
unadvanced or minimal.
Diunduh dari: http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/Y1899E/y1899e06.htm
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TANAH VERTISOLS
Mikro-relief Gilgai.
Diunduh dari: http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/ILRI/x5493E/x5493e05.html
TANAH VERTISOLS
Microphological differentiation of a sequence of soils (generalised).
Diunduh dari: http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/ILRI/x5493E/x5493e05.html
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TANAH VERTISOLS
PROSES GENESIS TANAH
Vertisols form under multiple genetic pathways which are complex. In
general, soil forming processes that lead to the formation of Vertisols are
those which control the formation and stability of smectites in the soil.
However, subsidiary processes, such as fluctuations in the moisture status,
accumulation of organic matter, carbonates, gypsum or soluble salts and
acidification processes through leaching, result in the differences within the
Vertisols.
The development of Vertisols requires conditions that ensure the formation

and preservation of smectites. These clay minerals may form either in situ
through the weathering and development of a solum (autochtonous Vertisols)
or from a sediment which is composed of materials that can produce vertic
properties (allochtonous Vertisols). The latter is geographically more
extensive and occupies the lower parts of the landscape. The development of
smectitic clays is favored by a high pH with sufficient Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the
soil system.
The presence of a relatively impermeable layer at some depth within the soil
prevents the leaching of the various components needed to form smectites.
TANAH VERTISOLS
Pengkerutan dan pemuaian menyebabkan terjadinya

“shearing” sehingga menghasilkan pembentukan
“slickensides”. Proses ini disebabkan oleh adanya mineral
liat “smectitic” dan alterasi musim basah dan musim
kering. Akibat dari proses ini, Vertisols membentuk
retakan-retakan yang dalam dan lebar dengan pola
POLIGONAL.
Pedoturbation (churning) is a process which homogenizes the soil

profile due to the infilling of the cracks by surficial material during dry
season. The process in Vertisols is also called self-mulching or self-
swallowing.
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TANAH VERTISOLS
Selama siklus pengeringan terbentuklah retakan-retakan, sedangkan pada saat
pembasahan terbentuk “tekanan geser” yang menghasilkan pembentukan
“slickensides” dan/atau penghalusan permukaan “sphenoids”. Kedua sifat ini
memerlukan material yang bersifat plastis. Tekanan lateral yang berkembang
dalam tanah-tanah ini jauh lebih besar dibandingkan dg tekanan vertikal akibat
pembengkakan (swelling). Di dalam tanah, komponen vertikal dari tekanan
“swelling” mencakup “bobot /berat” dari material di sebelah atasnya.
The moisture conditions above and below a point within the soil determines the net
pressure and angle of shear. As such, the near surface horizon develop cracks and
may have only a few slickensides since both the horizontal and vertical pressures
are small (the net pressure being much lower than the sheat strength of the
material). In deeper horizons, typically from 50 to about 125 cm below the surface,
slickensides development is maximum. In these deeper layers, the net pressure is
much greater than the shear strength of the material and soil movement occurs
with swelling.
Sphenoids develop as a result of the existence of much lower vertical and horizontal
pressures in comparison to that needed for the development of slickensides. In the
typical case, sphenoids would be found in between the surface horizon with cracks
and deeper horizons with slickensides. Their development has been related to lower
clay contents, as well as smaller proportions of smectitic clays in the colloidal
fractions
TANAH VERTISOLS
Tranlokasi liat pada vertisols tidak fenomenal, namun dmeikian, adanya

liat-liat “smectitic” mempunyai semua kondisi yang diperlukan untuk
proses dispersi, translokasi, dan akumulasi liat pada horison bawah-
permukaan.
In some Vertisols there is some evidence of illuviated clays in the lower

soil profile, which is subjected to the least amount of pedoturbation.
This process tends to obliterate all evidence of the illuviation process and
it is unlikely that well-defined clay skins will be preserved, instead any
translocated clay is probably engulfed in the matrix and/or slickensides as
a result of shrink-swell processes.
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TANAH VERTISOLS
MODEL PEDOGENIK PEMBENTUKAN VERTISOLS
(I). Model Pedoturbasi (Self-Swallowing Model)
Persyaratan bagi pembentukan Vertisols adalah adanya mineral liat

tipe “mengembang” (smectites). Adanya mineral liat ini
menyebabkan terjadinya proses mengembang-mengkerut pada
tanah.
Selama musim kering tanah retak-retak. Selama retakan ini

membuka, material tanah permukaan jatuh masuk ke dalam retakan
oleh adanaya gaya angin, aktivitas binatang atau erosi oleh air.
On rewetting the clays hydrate and expand. As expansion takes

place, the cracks close, but because of the 'additional' material now
present in the lower parts of the profile, a greater volume is required
and the expanding material presses and slides the aggregates
against each other developing slickensides.
TANAH VERTISOLS
MODEL PEDOGENIK PEMBENTUKAN VERTISOLS
(II). Model Mekanistik

This model is based on the failure along shear planes (slickensides) of
plastic soil material when swelling pressures generated by hydration
of clays exceed the shear strength of the soil material. Stress is
relieved by an upward movement that is constrained by the weight of
the overlying soil material, resulting in a failure shear plane that is
usually inclined at 10 - 60° above the horizontal. This model does not
require that surface material falls into cracks. Instead, surface
material is transported upward along the slickensides to produce the
microknolls of the gilgai-relief. Once microrelief is established, soil
processes are driven largely by small-scale variations in hydrology
and microclimate, and less so by pedoturbation.
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TANAH VERTISOLS
SIFAT DAN CIRI VERTISOLS
Lima zone atau horizons dengan penciri strukturalnya dapat ditemukan pada
Vertisols, meskipun tidak selalu semuanya ditemukan bersama dalam satu
profil tanah, dan urutannya mungkin juga beragam.
Zone 1: Zone ini dari permukaan hingga kedalaman sekitar 25 cm atau lapisan olah
bajak kalau ada. Zone ini dicirikan oleh adanya agregat prismatik yang berukuran
besar, hingga 30 cm lebarnya, yang dihasilkan dari proses retakan-retakan.
Materialnya keras atau sangat keras kalau kering dan agregat prismatik dapat
memisahkan diri manjadi gumpal bersudut yang kasar ukurannya.
Zone 2: This zone is typically 10 to 30 cm thick and characterized by coarse angular

blocky elements that may occur aggregated into discernable prisms. If overlain by a
plow zone, it may represent a root restricting layer for agricultural crops.
Zone 3: This zone may vary in thickness from 10 to over 100cm. Soil Taxonomy refers
to the structural elements in this zone as 'wedge-shaped natural structural aggregates
that have their long axis tilted 10 to 60 degrees from the horizontal'. These structural
aggregates have an orthorhombic form, are generally 5 to 10 cm long along their long
axis; and smooth or striated ped faces. Their mode of formation is related to the
slickensides, which are characteristic of zone 4.
TANAH VERTISOLS
Zone 4: Zone ini menjadi tempat pembentukan bidang-geser dan tebalnya

berkisar from 25-100 cm. Istilah “bidang geser” menunjukkan
“permukaan” halus dan mengkilap yang juga dapat “be grooved or
striated”. Dalam zone ini, bidang geser menempati luasan sekitar 600 -
2000 cm2.
Their surface topography is not flat, but curved or slightly undulating. The
net result of the inclined arrangement is to produce a set of intersecting
slickensides arranged in a synclinal form.
The deepest part of the syncline is between 50 and 125 cm below the
surface, while the shallower arms may reach within 25 cm of the surface.
The amplitude of the two arms represents the amplitude of the gilgai and
may vary from about 3 m to more than 25 m.
The thickness and expression of zones 2 &3 are a function of the depth at
which the arms of the slickensides approach the surface.
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TANAH VERTISOLS
Zone 5: Zone ini berada di bawah zone 4 atau langsung di bawah zone 3. Zone ini
mengalami variasi kelengasan sedikit saja, bersifat masif, dan menunjukkan
akumulasi gipsum, carbonates dan garam-garam larut lainnya..
Variations from the model profile is the rule rather than the exception. One or more
of zones 2, 3 or 4 may be absent, but 'conceptually zone 3, 4 or both must be present
for recognition as a Vertisol. The expression of zones 2, 3 and 4 will show considerable
variation as a function of soil moisture content and variation in intrinsic soil attributes
(variation in clay type and content), however their relative positions are usually
sequential.
Generally, the clay content is very high in Vertisols and the dominant clay minerals
are 2:1 type minerals (smectites, montmorillonites). These clay minerals have the
outstanding feature to expand (swell) when wet and shrink when dry. Therefore,
pronounced changes in volumes with changes in soil moisture result in deep cracks in
the dry season and very plastic and sticky soil consistency when wet. Due to the high
clay content of expanding character the cation exchange capacity of the whole soil is
high. A high clay content is also associated with slow permeability but the water
adsorption is high.
TANAH VERTISOLS
Bidang geser “Slickensides” menjadi ciri khas dari Vertisols. They are defined as
polished and grooved surfaces produced by one soil mass sliding past another. The
formation of slickenside features is related to swelling pressures which exceed the
shear strength of the soil under overburden-pressure confinement. The shear
strength of a soil is a function of cohesion plus the angle of internal friction, which is
low in clay soils. The cohesion is a function of bulk density, clay content, clay
mineralogy, and is inversely related to moisture content.
Generally, lateral swelling pressures in soils are much larger than vertical swelling
pressures, as the latter is substantially reduced by the overburden pressure.
Maximum slickensides are between 50 and 125 cm depth, however, fewer
slickensides are found at depths between 25 and 50 cm. At such depths both vertical
and horizontal pressures are small.
As the moisture changes become limited at 125 cm depth, slickensides become

scarce below this depth. Shearing occurs at an angle of 30 to 50 degrees from the
horizontal and it is dependent on moisture and the swelling pressures, which vary
vertically, horizontally, and temporally.
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TANAH VERTISOLS

Slickensides hanya dapat terbentuk kalau materialnya plastis.
Bidang geser (slickensides , stress cutans) sangat berbeda
dengan selimut-liat (argillans) yang ditemukan pada
permukaan agregat dan dihasilkan dari proses translokasi liat.
The latter have sharp outer and inner boundaries with distinct
extinction patterns and are often finely layered (laminar
fabric).
The relatively small slickensides developed by pedogenesis

must not be confuse with large slickensides of the substratum
which in alluvial and lacustrine sediments is a feature of the
parent material.
TANAH VERTISOLS
The organic matter content is generally low (0.5 - 3 %) in spite of the
usual dark soil color. Complexation or chelation of organic colloids to clay
minerals of the smectite group probably darkens the mineral. Some of the
dark color may also be related to presence of manganese oxides. The dark
black color may be also due to the parent material (e.g. Vertisols derived
from basalt). The Chrom great groups of Vertisols are brownish in color
and typically have small amounts of montmorillonites. These great groups
typically have large amounts of iron oxyhydroxides and are well-drained.
Kankars (carbonate glaebules or nodules) are basically lime concretions

that are found in Vertisols. Many Vertisols are formed in calcareous
parent material and have kankars throughout the profile. In deeper
horizons, it is also common to find calcic horizons. Drying, in the presence
of Fe and Mn, results in the formation of hard concretions.
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TANAH VERTISOLS

Struktur tanah Vertisols bersifat temporer. Ukuran struktur ,
bentuk, grade dan konsistensi semuanya berhubungan
dnegan kondisi lengas tanah.
The depth at which the different structural elements are

expressed may also be a function of moisture conditions in
different parts of the profile.
Ideally, structural assessments should be made under
different moisture conditions.
Seringkali Vertisols menunjukkan struktur gumpal bersudut

(agregat yang berbentuk baji “wedge”).
TANAH VERTISOLS
Ciri mikro-relief yang khas adalah knolls (gundukan) dan basins (cekungan) pada
lanskap Vertisol. Cekungan lebih basah daripada gundukan, karena adanya pelepasan air
melalui retakan-retakan dan genangan air selama periode basah.
They exhibit higher organic matter contents and are often more saline than the
microknolls. The knolls are drier, have a higher calcium carbonate content and are in the
erosional positions. Minibasins and microknolls show a repetitive but irregular pattern
within a Vertisol landscape with distances of about 3 to 10 m between the knolls. The
topography related to Vertisols is called 'Gilgai micro-topography'. Various forms of
gilgai have been reported: round, mushroom, tank, wavy, lattice, stony, and
depressional. The form is related to landscape shape, clay content and type, and soil
moisture regime. A fine, angular blocky structure, described by some as 'nutty' may
develop in surfaces that have a very high montmorillonitic clay content. In the dry season
they show a very hard consistence and appear as loose gravel strewn on the surface. In
previous classification systems these soils were called Grumosols.
Kebanyakan Vertisols mempunyai epipedon mollic dan horison penciri cambic, tetapi
beberapa lainnya mempunyai horison penciri bawah permukaan , termausk argillic atau
natrik.
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TANAH VERTISOLS
KLASIFIKASI VERTISOLS
Persyaratan untuk memenuhi kualifikasi Vertisol adalah:
1. Clay content of at least 30 % to a depth of at least 50 cm, or a lithic or
paralithic contact, duripan, or a petrocalcic horizon if shallower
2. Cracks that open and close periodically
3. Evidence of soil movement (e.g. slickensides, wedge-shaped aggregates)
4. Any soil temperature regime, except pergelic (i.e., Gelisols)
5. Soil moisture regime must be erratic to allow for cracking in dry season
and swelling in wet season
6. Gilgai surface topography is not considered as a requirement to meet a
Vertisol. Cultivation practice may erase gilgai microtopography.
Ada enam subordo di dalam ordo Vertisol.

They are differentiated by aquic conditions, soil moisture regime, and on the
cracking characteristics of the soil.
Note that although the formative elements for soil moisture regimes are used
in naming Xererts, Torrerts, Usterts, and Uderts, the names do not necessarily
mean that the soils have those soil moisture regimes.
TANAH VERTISOLS
Aquerts
Vertisols which are subdued aquic conditions for some time in most years
and show redoximorphic features are grouped as Aquerts. Because of the
high clay content the permeability is slowed down and aquic conditions
are likely to occur. In general, when precipitation exceeds
evapotranspiration ponding may occur. Under wet soil moisture conditions
iron and manganese is mobilized and reduced. The manganese may be
partly responsible for the dark color of the soil profile.
Cryerts
They have a cryic soil temperature regime. Cryerts are most extensive in
the grassland and forest-grassland transitions zones.
Xererts
They have a thermic, mesic, or frigid soil temperature regime. They show
cracks that are open at least 60 consecutive days during the summer, but
are closed at least 60 consecutive days during winter.
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TANAH VERTISOLS
Torrerts
Tanah-tanah ini mempunyai retakan-retakan yang menutup
selama kurang dari 60 hari berturutan pada saat suhu lapisan
tanah permukaan 50 cm lebih dari 8°C.
Usterts
Tanah-tanah ini mempunyai retakan-retakan yang membuka
selama minimal 90 hari kumulatif setiap tahun.
Secara global, ordo tanah ini paling luas sebarannya, meliputi
tanah-tanah Vertisols di daerah tropis dan iklim monsoon.
TANAH VERTISOLS
Uderts:
Tanah-tanah ini mempunyai retakan yang membuka selama kurang dari 90 hari kumulatif per
tahun, dan kurang dari 60 hari berturutan selama summer.
Great groups are differentiated by subsurface diagnostic horizons (e.g. salic, calcic, natric,
gypsic horizons), the presence of a duripan (e.g. Duraquerts, Durixererts), organic carbon
content (e.g. Humicryerts), or reaction (electrical conductivity is less than 4 dS/m and pH in 1:1
water of 5 or less in 25 cm or more within top 50 cm - e.g. Dystrusters, Dystraquerts).
Beberapa rezim lengas tanah pada tingkat sugroup beragam mulai dari kondisi kering hingga
basah:
1. Xeric (e.g. Xeric Epiaquerts),
2. Aridic (e.g. Aridic Epiaquerts),
3. Udic (e.g Udic Haplusterts),
4. Ustic (e.g. Ustic Dystraquerts), and
5. Aquic (e.g. Aquic Dystrusterts, Aquic Salitorrerts).
Diunduh dari: ………….. 25/2/2013
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TANAH VERTISOLS
Warna tanah digunakan untuk membedakan subgroup 'aeric' dari Vertisols.
Soils that have in one or more horizons between either an Ap horizon or a depth of 25 cm
from the mineral soil surface, whichever is deeper, 50 percent or more colors as follows:
1. Nilai HUE 2.5R atau lebih merah, dan/atau
2. Nilai VALUE, lembab, 6 atau lebih dan KHROMA 3 atau lebih; atau
3. Nilai VALUE, lembab, 5 atau kurang dan KHROMA 2 atau lebih; atau
4. Nilai HUE 5Y dan KHROMA 3 atau lebih; atau
5. KHROMA 2 atau lebih, dan tidak ada konsnetrasi redoks (mis. Aeric Endoaquerts).
Soil color is used also to differentiate the 'chromic' subgroup of Vertisols.

The chromic characteristic encompass soils that have, in one or more horizons within 30
cm of the mineral soil surface, 50 percent or more colors as follows:
1. VALUE, lembab, 4 atau lebih; atau
2. VALUE, kering, 6 atau lebih; atau
3. KHROMA 3 atau lebih (mis. Chromic Epiaquerts).
Diunduh dari: ………….. 25/2/2013
TANAH VERTISOLS
Vertisols yang tipis (dangkal) diklasifikasikan dengan sebutan 'leptic' (tanh yang mempunyai
kontak densik, lithic, atau paralithic , di dalam 100 cm tanah mineral permukaan) atau
'lithic' (mis. Leptic Salaquerts atau Lithic Haploxererts).
Vertisols which are low in clay content are differentiated as 'entic'. To meet the 'entic'
designation the Vertisol must have a layer 25 cm or more thick that contains less than 27
percent clay in its fine-earth fraction and has its upper boundary within 100 cm of the
mineral soil surface (e.g. Entic Salaquerts, Entic Haplotorrerts).
Tanah-tanah disebut 'halic' kalau kandungan garamnya tinggi. Tanah-tanah ini memenuhi
kriteria : seluruh lapisan 15 cm atau lebih tebal mempunyai konduktivitas elektrik minimal
15 dS/m atau lebih (tanah: air 1:1) selama 6 bulan atau lebih per tahun , dalam 6 tahun
atau lebih selama periode 10 tahun (mis. Halic Durixererts).
Vertisols with a high sodium content are classified as 'sodic' (e.g. Sodic Durixererts). They
must have an exchangeable sodium percentage of 15 or more (or a sodium adsorption ratio
of 13 or more) for 6 or more months per year in 6 or more out of 10 years.
Diunduh dari: ………….. 25/2/2013
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TANAH VERTISOLS
Coefficient of linear extensibility (COLE) and bulk densities of selected Vertisols.
Classification Depth (cm) COLE (cm cm-1) Bulk density (g cm-3)
0.03 Mpa oven-dry
Udic Chromustert 0- 8 0.106 1.34 1.82
36-76 0.115 1.32 1.84
Entic Chromoxerert 0-13 0.060 1.10 1.83
13-38 0.174 1.14 1.85
Udic Pellustert 0- 5 0.093 1.14 1.49
5-15 0.091 1.23 1.60
15-41 0.126 1.23 1.83
Typic Torrert 5-25 0.124 1.23 1.75
40-60 0.117 1.12 1.56
Diunduh dari: http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/ILRI/x5493E/x5493e05.htm………….. 1/3/2013
TANAH VERTISOLS
KARAKTERISTIK PENCIRI
Soils at higher elevations and on steeper slopes formed in the same parent material as
Vertisols are classified as Inceptisols and Alfisols and they may have vertic properties. In a
catenary association Alfisols may occur on the top of the slopes - Entisols, Inceptisols, and
Alfisols with vertic properties on the erosional hillslope positions - and Vertisols on the
lower slopes and in the depressions.
The main associated soils formed in calcareous parent material are Ustolls, Aqualfs in the
less calcareous clays, and soils in vertic subgroups of Ustolls and Aquolls on nearly level
slopes. With advancement of leaching and the formation of an argillic horizon, the soil
would evolve into Alfisols (e.g. Vertic Hapludalfs). Leaching also promotes the destruction
of smectites, i.e., the vertic properties of the soils are destroyed and Alfisols are formed.
A number of Inceptisols, Entisols, Alfisols, Mollisols, Ultisols, and Aridisols intergrade to

Vertisols at the subgroup level. These soils have vertic characteristics such as cracking,
slickensides or wedge-shaped aggregates, but not enough to be Vertisols.
Diunduh dari: ………….. 25/2/2013
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TANAH VERTISOLS
Pembentukan Horison VERTIK
Pembentukan agregat struktural yang khas (`vertic structure') merupakan proses genetik utama
dalam Vertisols. Struktur tipikal ini dapat ditemukan dalam solum, tetapi ekspresi yang paling
kuat ada pada `vertic horizon'; derajat perkembangan dan ukuran agregat berubah secara
bertahap dnegan kedalaman tanah.
When the saturated surface soil starts to dry out, shrinkage of the clayey topsoil is initially one-
dimensional and the soil surface subsides without cracking. Upon further drying, the soil loses
its plasticity and tension builds up until the tensile strength of the soil material is locally
exceeded and the soil cracks. Cracks are formed in a pattern that becomes finer as desiccation
proceeds. In most Vertisols, the surface soil turns into a `surface mulch' with a granular or crumb
structure. Vertisols, which develop surface mulch, are called `self-mulching‘.
Granules or crumbs of the mulch fall into cracks. Upon re-wetting, part of the space that the soil
requires for its increased volume is occupied by mulch material. Continued water uptake
generates pressures that result in shearing: the sliding of soil masses against each other.
Shearing occurs as soon as the `shear stress' that acts upon a given volume of soil exceeds its
`shear strength'. The swelling pressure acts in all directions. Mass movement along oblique
planes at an angle of 20 to 30 degrees with the horizontal plane resolves this pressure
Diunduh dari: http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/Y1899E/y1899e06.htm………….. 1/3/2013
TANAH VERTISOLS
Vertisols mempunyai kandungan mineral liat
tipe mengembang yang sangat tinggi. Mereka
mengalami perubahan volume yang sangat
nyata dnegan adanya perubahan lengas
tanah.
Mereka mempunyai retakan-retakan di
permukaan yang membuka dan menutup
secara periodik, dan menunjukkan bukti-
bukti pergerakan tanah dalam profilnya.
Karena mereka mengembang ketika basah ,
vertisols merembeskan air sangat lambat dan
hanya sedikit mengalami pencucian.
Kesuburan alamiahnya cenderung tinggi.
Vertisols meliputi sekitar 2% dari permukaan

lahan dunia yg bebas es
Diunduh dari: ………….. 25/2/2013
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TANAH VERTISOLS
Konsep sentral dari Vertisols adalah
tanah-tanah yang mempunyai (kaya)
kandungan mineral liat tipe
mengembang dan mempunyai
nretakan-retakan permukaan yang
lebar dan dalam.
Tanah-tanah ini mengkerut bila kering

dan mengembang bila menjadi lebih
basah.
Diunduh dari: http://urbanext.illinois.edu/soil/orders/soiord.htm ………….. 28/2/2013
TANAH VERTISOLS
Tanah-tanah vertisols berkembang pada bahan
induk bertekstur halus dengan > 60% liat, minimal
separuhnya berupa montmorillonit.
Proses genesis tanah yang dominan : retakan, argilli-
pedoturbation (pencampuran liat dalam pedon) dan
pergerakan material karena mengembang-
mengkerutnya liat selama siklus
pembasahan/pengeringan.
Tanah-tanah ini mempunyai dua horison yang khas
(B atau C): slickensides (ss = horison bawah-
permukaan berliat yg mempunyai “polished and
grooved ped surfaces -'slickensides', atau agregat
yang berbentuk wedge ) dan vertik (v = horizon
dengan retakan yang lebar & dalam ketika kering,
sehingga memungkinkan material permukaan turun
ke bawah sepanjang retakan dan menyebabkan
tanah menjadi “heave”).
Siklus pembasahan dan pengeringan menyebabkan
liat mengembang dan mengkerut.
Diunduh dari: http://soilweb.landfood.ubc.ca/processes/vertisols.htm ………….. 28/2/2013
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TANAH VERTISOLS
Retakan-retakan di permukaan
tanah Vertisol dari Utah
Tingginya kapasitas Vertisols untuk

mengembang dan mengkerut
menciptakan retakan-retakan di
permukaan tanah.
Retakan-retakan ini cukup lebar untuk
membuat “the terrain treacherous”
bagi binatang.
Material permukaan mengakumulasi
dalam retakan ini selama musim
kering dan "swallowed" oleh tanah
pada musim basah, sehingga
menghasilkan aksi mencampur-
sendiri pada tanah Vertisols.
Diunduh dari: http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/soilorders/i/Vert_06b.jpg ………….. 28/2/2013
TANAH VERTISOLS
SUB-ORDO
1. Aquerts - Vertisols with
a water table at or near
the surface for much of
the year
2. Cryerts - Vertisols di
daerah iklim dingin
3. Xererts - temperate
Vertisols with very dry
summers and moist
winters
4. Torrerts - Vertisols di
daerah iklim kering
5. Usterts - Vertisols di
daerah iklim semiarid
dan subhumid
6. Uderts - Vertisols di
daerah iklim basah
Diunduh dari: http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/soilorders/vertisols%20suborders.htm ………….. 28/2/2013
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TANAH VERTISOLS
Horison pada Vertisols
1. The A horizon, called topsoil by most

growers, is the surface mineral layer where
organic matter accumulates. Over time, this
layer loses clay, iron, and other materials to
leaching. This loss is called eluviation.
Materials resistant to weathering, such as
sand, tend to remain in the A horizon as
other materials leach out. The A horizon
provides the best environment for the
growth of plant roots, microorganisms, and
other life.
2. The C horizon lacks the properties of the A

and B horizons. It is the soil layer less
touched by soil-forming processes and is
usually the parent material of the soil.
Diunduh dari: http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/madison/webship/rotorua/orders.html ………….. 28/2/2013
TANAH VERTISOLS
1. a vertic h. starting within 100 cm
of the soil surface; dan
2. after the upper 20 cm have been
mixed, 30 percent or more clay
between the soil surface and the
vertic h. throughout; dan
3. Retakan-retakan yang membuka

dan menutup secara periodik.
Diunduh dari: http://wwwuser.gwdg.de/~kuzyakov/soils/WRB-2006_Keys.htm ………….. 28/2/2013
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TANAH VERTISOLS
Vertisols are dark clays and difficult to

work.
Good management can bring them to
medium or high potential.
Diunduh dari: http://www.fao.org/docrep/u8480e/U8480E0b.htm ………….. 28/2/2013
TANAH VERTISOLS
RETAKAN DI Cracks, surface mulch and soil structure in a Vertisol
PERMUKAAN during the dry season
Cracks, surface mulch and

soil structure in a Vertisol
during the dry season
Cracks are formed in a
pattern that becomes finer
as desiccation proceeds.
In most Vertisols, the

surface soil turns into a '
surface mulch ' with a
granular or crumb structure.
Vertisols, which develop
surface mulch, are called ‘
self-mulching'.
Diunduh dari: Diunduh dari: http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/Y1899E/y1899e06.htm ………….. 1/3/2013
http://www.isric.org/isric/webdocs/docs//maj
or_soils_of_the_world/set3/vr/vertisol.pdf?
………….. 28/2/2013
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PENGELOLAAN VERTISOLS
Large areas of Vertisols in the semi-arid tropics are still unused or are used only for
extensive grazing, wood chopping, charcoal burning and the like. These soils form a
considerable agricultural potential but adapted management is a precondition for
sustained production. The comparatively good chemical fertility and their occurrence in
extensive level plains where reclamation and mechanical cultivation can be envisaged are
assets of Vertisols.
Kendala serius yang dihadapi adalah karakteristik fisika tanah dan sulitnya pengelolaan
air..
SISTEM PERTANIAN PADA Vertisols

The agricultural use of Vertisols ranges from very extensive (grazing, collection of fire
wood, charcoal burning) through smallholder post-rainy season crop production (millet,
sorghum, cotton, chick peas) to small-scale (rice) and large-scale irrigated agriculture
(cotton, wheat, barley, sorghum, chickpeas, flax, noug (Guzotia Abessynica) and sugar
cane). Cotton is known to perform well on Vertisols allegedly because cotton has a vertical
root system that is not severely damaged by cracking of the soil. Tree crops are generally
less successful because tree roots find it difficult to establish themselves in the subsoil
and are damaged as the soil shrinks and swells.
Praktek pengelolaan untuk produksi tanaman harus diarahkan pada pengelolaan air yang
dikombinasikan dengan konservasi atau perbaikan kesuburan tanah.
Diunduh dari: http://www.isric.org/isric/webdocs/docs//major_soils_of_the_world/set3/vr/vertisol.pdf? …………..
28/2/2013
PENGELOLAAN VERTISOLS
Manajemen lahan secara fisik pada Vertisols
Sifat-sifat fisika dan rezim lengas-tanah pada Vertisols menjadi

kendala serius bagi pengelolaannya. The heavy soil texture and
domination of expanding clay minerals result in a narrow soil
moisture range between moisture stress and water excess. Tillage is
hindered by stickiness when the soil is wet and hardness when it is
dry. The susceptibility of Vertisols to waterlogging is the single most
important factor that reduces the actual growing period (below
estimates based on climatic data).
Kelebihan air selama musim hujan harus dapat disimpan untuk

digunakan pasca musim hujan (‘panen air hujan') pada Vertisols
yang mempunyai sifat laju infiltrasi sangat lambat.
Diunduh dari: http://www.isric.org/isric/webdocs/docs//major_soils_of_the_world/set3/vr/vertisol.pdf? ………….. 28/2/2013
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Pengelolaan Vertisols untuk memperbaiki rezim lengas tanah:
Evacuation of excess surface water – SISTEM SURJAN

Drainage permukaan dnegan sistem surjan (bedengan lebar dengan parit dalam), dapat
melindungi tanaman dari efek buruk akibat jenuhnya zone perakaran. Air drainage
dapat disimpan dalam kolam-kolam kecil dan digunakan untuk keperluan ternak dan
tanaman sayuran yang dibudidayakan.
This practice proved very successful in the Ethiopian Highlands where the yields of local
wheat varieties increased by 150 % and horse bean yields went up by 300 %. The only
disadvantage of broad bed and furrow systems recognised so far is that they promote
soil erosion by concentrating water flow in the furrows.
The broad bed and furrow technology solves problems on individual farmers’ fields but
solutions have still to be found to bring the runoff water safely down to the lowest part
of the landscape (e.g. along grassed waterways) without enhancing erosion of
neighbouring farmland.
A participatory approach involving all stakeholders is needed to solve this problem at

watershed scale.

Storage of excess water within the watershed – EMBUNG
Kalau kelebihan air hujan dapat dipanen dan disimpan dalam embung (micro-dams), air ini
dapat digunakan untuk irigasi Vertisols di daerah bawahannya.. Seepage losses from the
dams benefit the ecosystem as a whole, since the water will surface as recharge in lower
landscape positions. Livestock benefit from these micro-dams in many ways, e.g. by
increased fodder availability from crop residues, presence of drinking water and increased
fodder production in recharge zones. Even though micro-dam projects are generally
appreciated as successful, salinisation and sodification of the irrigation perimeters and high
percolation losses are serious hazards.
At some of the dam sites, up to 50 % of the harvested water is lost each year. This is a direct
consequence of the swell-shrink behaviour of smectite clay. The use of a membrane or of
other construction materials, e.g. more weathered clay which may occur in the same
landscape, has been suggested as a remedy.
Akumulasi salinitas tanah menjadi masalah serius. Dalam waktu satu dekade saja,
salinitas tanah dapat menjadi sangat tinggi dan seluruh embung harus “to be
demolished “ dan lahan di sekitarnya harus dibiarkan memulihkan dirinya selama
beberapa tahun, sebelum dibudidayakan kembali.
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Water harvesting in areas with Vertisols – PANEN AIR HUJAN
The deep and wide cracking of Vertisols retards wetting of the surface soil after a dry spell.
Management should therefore be directed at storing water in the subsurface soil; the greater
soil moisture reserves extend the possible length of a crop’s growing period.
Beberapa teknik panen air hujan pada vertisols adalah:
1. Construction of small ponds for harvesting (drainage) water and keeping it in the higher
parts of a watershed. This water can be used later, e.g. for strategic irrigation of vegetable
gardens and/or for watering livestock.
2. Contour ploughing and bunding to enhance infiltration of water in the soil. A beneficial side
effect of contour bunding is that it diminishes soil erosion, which is a severe problem of
many Vertisols on slopes. In the highlands of Northern Ethiopia, continued contour
ploughing resulted in stepped landscapes (‘dagets’) with step heights from 0.3 m to 3
metres. Grasses are planted on the riser and a more or less large strip of grass is maintained
on the shoulder.
3. Mulsa vertikal untuk memperbaiki infiltrasi air ke dalam subsoil. Resitu tanaman
ditempatkan secara vertikal dalam parit-parit kontur dengan bagian yang muncul di
permukaan tanah sekitar 10 cm. Parit-parit dengan barisan mulsa vertikal ini berjarak pisak
4 - 5 m.
Perbaikan Kondisi Perakartan

Beberapa teknik untuk memulihkan kembali struktur tanah :
1. Soil heating/burning is practised in the Ethiopian highlands (the technique is locally

known as ‘guie’). Burning causes the clay fraction to fuse to sand-sized particles.
2. Flood fallowing’ (flooding the land for 6 to 9 months) has been tried on low-lying
Vertisols. Gases produced by fermentation and redistribution of oxides improve
rooting conditions in heavy clay surface soils.
3. Pengolahan-datam tanah-tanah Vertisols yang mempunyai horison “indurated “
(mis. Beberapa Verisols Calcic dan Gypsic Vertisols dan Duric Vertisols) untuk
menghancurkan subsoil yang keras dan kompak.
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Pengelolaan Status Hara pada Vertisols
Vertisols merupakan tanah-tanah yang subur di daerah tropika bermusim

kering.
Tanah-tanah ini kaya kation basa, kalsium dan magnesium mendominasi

kompleks pertukaran. Banyak sistem pertanian tradisional melibatkan periode
bera (kosong) 1 – 4 tahun , dimana Vertisols dapat memulihkan kembali BOT
nya pada tanah lapisan atas.
Increased population pressure has now reduced the proportion of fallow land
(read: the fallow period) and many areas are left in fallow only when
completely degraded.
Trials have shown that continuous cropping can be sustainable provided that
soil and water conservation and fertiliser management are adequate.
Banyak Vertisols defisien nitrogen, sesuai dnegan rendahnya kandungan BOT.

Pupuk Nitrogen harus diaplikasikan sedemikian rupa sehingga dapat
dihindarkan penguapan amoniak yang berlebihan dan pencucian nitrat yang
intensif.
Placement of nitrate fertiliser in the root zone is best in dry regions whereas
split banded application is preferred in wet conditions (Van Wambeke, 1991).
If nitrogen is supplied in the ammonium form, is may be retained by the

exchange complex of Vertisols, which curbs (leaching) losses.
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Many Vertisols have a low content of available phosphorus. In the East-African

highlands, Vertisols on weathered basalt showed little response to application of
phosphate under low-intensity farming but phosphorus became strongly limiting if
farming was intensified (and yields went up).
Aridic , Alic and Chromic Vertisols contain much exchangeable aluminium and are
notorious for inactivating fertiliser phosphate. In places Vertisols are low on sulphur
and/or zinc.
It is generally believed that application of animal manure would improve soil organic
matter and soil physical properties, but trials remained largely inconclusive. Crop
residues should be returned to the land but are rather used as animal feed, fuel and
building materials.
Penelitian dnegan pupuk hijau (legumes) menunjukkan peningkatgan hasil yang

signifikan tanaman serealia dan peningkatan efisiensi serapan pupuk. Kombinasi
bedengan lebar dan parit-dalam dengan aplikasi pupuk fosfat dan tumpangsari sereal-
legume dapat memanfaatkan manfaat intekasi tanaman-ternak.
The legumes overgrow the cereal stover after harvest (Jutzi et al., 1987; Gryseels,
1988).
DESKRIPSI PROFIL-TANAH VERTISOLS

INFORMASI TENTANG LOKASI :
Soil Classification: USDA (1990):
Very fine, montmorillontic, thermic Family of Entic Chromoxererts(EAAB)
FAO/UNESCO : VR : Vertisol
Location : 1.5 km EN Aidun
Coordinates : Geographical : 35.87661 E/ 32.51207 N
JTM : 394455 E/ 598528 N
Elevation : 610 m asl
Landform: Position : Lower slope
Land System : 8/8 ( Undulating piedmont alluvial and colluvial plains)--8.8.1[GIS]
Land Facet : 7 (Concave to flat lower slopes of alluvial plain )
Microrelief: Class : Even (<25 cm)
Type : other
Slope : Gently sloping (2%) , rectilinear to NE
Land Use : 1.5 Mixed tree /annuals
Plant /Crop : olives, Toot
Climate:Mean annual precipitation:
Mean annual temperature: Air : 17.1° C / Soil (50cm): 20.0° C
Soil moisture regime: Xeric
Precipitation zone: 400-450 mm p.a.
Diunduh dari: ag.arizona.edu/oals/IALC/jordansoils/_pdf/jordan_vertisols.pdf ………….. 28/2/2013
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INFORMASI TANAH SECARA UMUM:
Geology : Chalk / Limestone [q5 Fluv.deposits, sand, loess (Bender 1968)]

Parent Material : Alluvium
Drainage : Surface Runoff: None
Soil Drainage Class : Well
Surface Cover : Stones (15 %)
Surface Feature : Cracks (10 %)
Soil Surface Conditions: Dry / Extremely hard
Erosion : Nil
Soil Depth : 210 cm +
Diagnostic Horizon or Property: Vertic at 0 cm and Calcic at 83 cm\

Ap Brown (10 YR 4/3) dry and dark yellowish brown (10 YR 3/4) moist; clay; very strong
0-20 cm coarse angular blocky breaking to strong medium angular blocky; dry extremely hard;
moist very friable; moderately sticky; moderately plastic; many medium (5-10 mm)
vertical cracks; common fine (1-2 mm) fibrous and woody roots; 10 % angular chert fine
gravel (2-5 mm); 1 % small (<5 mm) soft calcareous concretions; weak thin clay coating;
slight reaction to HCl; gradual wavy boundary to
20-45 cm Brown (10 YR 4/3) dry and dark yellowish brown (10 YR 3/4) moist; clay; moderate coarse
angular blocky breaking to strong coarse platy; dry very hard; moderately sticky;
moderately plastic; common medium (5-10 mm) vertical cracks; many fine (1-2 mm) fibrous
and woody roots; 5 % angular chert fine gravel (2-5 mm); 2 % small (<5 mm) moderately
hard calcareous concretions; moderately thin clay coating; slight reaction to HCl; clear wavy
boundary to:
45-83 cm Brown (10 YR 4/3) moist; clay; strong coarse prismatic breaking to strong medium
prismatic; dry extremely hard; moist very friable; moderately sticky; very plastic; many fine
(1-5 mm) irregular cracks; few very fine (<1 mm)fibrous roots; 5 % irregular chert fine
gravel (2-5 mm); 3 % small (<5 mm) moderately hard calcareous concretions; moderate
thick clay coating; slight reaction to HCl; gradual smooth boundary to:
83 – 210+ Dark yellowish brown (10 YR 4/4) moist; clay; very strong coarse prismatic breaking to
cm strong medium subangular blocky; dry extremely hard; moist friable; moderately sticky;
modeerately plastic; common fine (1-5mm) irregular cracks; few very fine (<1 mm) fibrous
roots; 5 % irregular chert fine gravel (2-5 mm); 5 % medium (5-15 mm) hard calcareous
concretions; strong thick clay coating; moderate reaction to HCl.
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INFORMASI TENTANG LOKASI :
Soil Classification: USDA (1990): Very fine, montmorillontic, calcareous, thermic Family of typic
Chromoxererts(EAAD)
FAO/UNESCO : VR : Vertisol
Location : Middle sample area 1/6
Coordinates: Geographical : 35.92186 E/ 32.39788 N
JTM : 398579 E/ 585822 N
Elevation : 815 m asl
Landform: Position : Upper slope
Land System : 8/10( Dissected limestone plateau with deep colluvial mantles)--8.10.0[GIS]
Land Facet : 3 (Deep colluvial mantles on mid/lower slopes )
Microrelief: Class : Even (<25 cm)
Type :
Slope : Sloping (7%) , rectilinear to NE
Land Use : 1.4 Tree crops,orchards
Plant /Crop : olives
Climate:Mean annual precipitation:
Mean annual temperature: Air : 15.8° C / Soil (50cm): 18.8° C
Soil moisture regime: Xeric
Precipitation zone: 350-400 mm p.a.
Geology: Limestone/chert [c2 Chalky/sandy LSt (Sir, Fuh (Bender 1968)]

Parent Material : Colluvium
Drainage : Surface Runoff: None
Soil Drainage Class : Well
Surface Cover : Stones (5 %)
Surface Feature : Cracks (10 %)
Soil Surface Conditions: Dry / Very hard
Erosion : Nil
Soil Depth : 200 cm +
Diagnostic Horizon or Property: Calcic at 86 cm
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Ap 0-20 cm
Reddish brown (5 YR 5/4) dry and dark reddish brown (5 YR 4/4) moist; silty clayloam; moderate coarse
subangular blocky breaking to moderate medium subangular blocky; dry hard; moist very friable; very
sticky; slightly plastic; common fine (0.5-2 mm) tubular pores; common medium (5-10 mm) vertical cracks;
few very fine (<1 mm) fibrous roots; 5 % angular chert coarse gravel ( 20-75 mm); strong reaction to HCl;
clear smooth boundary to:
20-43 cm. Reddish brown (5 YR 5/4) dry and reddish brown (5 YR 4/4) moist; clay; strong very coarse
angular blocky; moist very friable; slightly sticky; very plastic; few fine (0.5-2 mm) tubular pores; common
fine (1-5 mm) vertical cracks; common fine (1-2 mm) fibrous roots; 5 % angular chert fine gravel (2-5 mm);
weak thin clay coating; strong reaction to HCl; diffuse smooth boundary to:
43-86 cm. Reddish brown (5 YR 4/4) dry and dark reddish brown (5 YR 3/4) moist; clay; strong coarse
prismatic breaking to medium subangular blocky; dry very hard; moist friable; slightly sticky; very plastic; few
very fine (0.5 mm) tubular pores; common very fine (<1 mm) vertical cracks; few very fine (<1 mm) fibrous
roots; 5 % irregular hard limestone fine gravel (2-5 mm); moderate thick clay coating; strong reaction to HCl;
diffuse smooth boundary to :
86-122 cm. Dark raddish brown (5YR 3/4) moist; strong coarse prismatic breaking to strong medium
prismatic; dry very hard; moist friable; slightly sticky; very plastic; few very fine (0.5 mm) tubular pores;
common fine (<1-5 mm) vertical cracks; few very fine (<1 mm) fibrous roots; 1 % irregular hard limestone fine
gravel (2-5 mm); 10 % large (>15 mm) moderately hard calcareous concretions; strong thick clay coating;
strong reaction to HCl; diffuse smooth boundary to :
122-200+ cm Yellowish red (5 YR 4/6 ) moist; clay; strong coarse prismatic breaking to strong medium
prismatic;
dry very hard; few very fine (0.5 mm) tubular pores; common fine (<1-5 mm) irregular cracks; few very fine
(<1 mm) fibrous roots; 1 % irregular hard limestone fine gravel (2-5 mm); 15 % large (>15 mm) moderately
hard calcareous concretions; strong thick clay coating; violent reaction to HCl.

Field description of Pelloxerert (SSS, 1988).
Classif. : Typic Pelloxerert, fine, montmorillonitic, thermic. (SSS, 1988).

Typic Haploxerert, fine, montmorillonitic, thermic. (SSS, 1997).
Location : Pietranera farm, Sicily, Italy (33S UB 6884 5810).
Physiographic position: gently sloping side of a hill; 371 m elevation.
Topography : south-facing, 3 percent slope
Vegetation : durum wheat (Triticum durum)
Parent material : marly clays
Diunduh dari: http://natres.psu.ac.th/Link/SoilCongress/bdd/symp12/781-t.pdf………….. 28/2/2013
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Ap 0-25 cm. Black (5Y2/1) clayey, black (5Y2/1) moist; strong, fine and medium angular
and subangular blocky structure with self-mulching on the surface; hard (dry), firm
(moist); sticky and plastic (wet); fine and very fine roots; common fine and many very
fine pores; strongly effervescent; 4 percent gravel by volume; clear smooth boundary.
A1 25-60 cm. Black (5Y2/1) clayey, black (5Y2/1) moist; strong, medium and coarse angular
blocky structure; common nonintersecting slickensides; cracks; hard (dry), firm (moist);
sticky and plastic (wet); fine and very fine roots; few very fine pores; strongly effervescent;
4 percent gravel by volume; clear, wavy boundary
A2 60-90 cm. Black (5Y2/1) clayey, black (5Y2/1) moist; strong, coarse and very coarse
angular blocky structure; many nonintersecting slickensides; cracks; hard (dry), firm (moist);
sticky and plastic (wet); few fine and very fine roots; few fine pores; strongly effervescent; 5
percent gravel by volume; gradual, wavy boundary.
A3 100-140 cm. Black (5Y2/1) clayey, black (5Y2/1) moist; strong, coarse prisms breaking to
strong, coarse angular blocky structure; many wide nonintersecting slickensides; cracks;
hard (dry), very firm (moist); sticky and plastic (wet); few very fine roots; very few fine
pores; strongly effervescent; gradual, wavy boundary.
A4k 120-160 cm. Black (5Y2/1) clayey, black (5Y2/1) moist; strong, coarse prisms breaking
to strong, coarse angular blocky structure; many wide nonintersecting slickensides; little
cracks; common fine soft masses of carbonate; hard (dry), firm (moist); sticky and plastic
(wet); very few fine pores; strongly effervescent; gradual, wavy boundary.
C 160+ cm. Marly clays
Diunduh dari: http://natres.psu.ac.th/Link/SoilCongress/bdd/symp12/781-t.pdf ………….. 28/2/2013
TOC, TEC, C(HA+FA), referred to DM at 105°C, humification rate (HR) and degree of
humification (DH
Pelloxerert
TOC TEC C(HA+FA) HR(%) DH(%)
Ap 1.40 0.87 0.60 42.9 69.0
A1 1.19 0.71 0.50 42.0 70.4
A2 1.18 0.67 0.56 47.5 83.6
A3 1.02 0.56 0.51 48.6 91.1
A4k 0.86 0.43 0.39 69.6 90.7
C 0.32 0.18 0.18 59.4 100
30
13/06/2021
DSC and TGA parameters: peak temperatures (°C), weight losses (%) related to the
overall exothermic reactions (exotot), content of residue of combustion at 800°C (%),
relative percentage of the fraction giving the first weight loss respect to the total
(exo1%)
Peak temp.(°C) Peak temp.(°C) Peak temp.(°C) Peak temp.(°C) Esotot (%) Residue
1°endotherm 1°exotherrm 2°exotherm 3°exotherm at 800°C (%) eso1%
Pelloxerert
Ap 80.9 337.2 458.7 n.d. 59.72 26.13 40.2
A1 75.3 n.d. 426.5 n.d. 42.77 45.39 36.1
A2 77.0 353.5 433.4 507.2 55.03 35.24 32.7
A3 76.9 n.d. 423.9 510.6 45.79 42.58 35.7
A4k 77.5 n.d. 436.2 521.9 46.19 40.98 26.8
C 64.5 387.9 - - 21.26 72.32 100.0
PENGELOLAAN VERTISOLS BERDASARKAN KENDALANYA
Struktur dan Konsistensi Tanah Permukaan
Vertisols are extremely hard when they are dry, but when wet they become extremely
plastic, to almost a liquid state, with a very low bearing capacity. Their structure and
consistency are generally a direct function of the ratio of clay to sand and the mineral
composition of the clay. Vertisols with more than 50% clay and a dominance of
montmorillonite have poor theological characteristics, since montmorillonite has a high
surface charge and a low Zero Point of Net Charge (ZPNC). At the normal pH of Vertisols
(6.0-7.5), the soil is at least three units above the ZPNC, and if water is available, the
mineral will be in a dispersed state.
In this situation, interparticle binding forces are minimal and aggregates rupture fast. On
drying, the tissue-paper-like sheets of montmorillonite pack against each other to form
a very compact, low porosity aggregate. The bulk density (Table 1) changes from about
1.33 g cm-3 at 0.03 MPa tension to more than 1.8 g cm-3 at oven-dry conditions. Few
roots can penetrate a medium with a bulk density of more than 1.6 g cm-3, and the
shrinking force also tends to crush any roots. Tillage, unless high energy machinery is
used, is extremely difficult in the dry state. In the moist state, the low bearing capacity
and the plastic nature of the material are deterrents. Thus, tillage can only be
conducted at a moisture tension close to, but not at, field capacity.
Diunduh dari: http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/ILRI/x5493E/x5493e05.htm ………….. 1/3/2013
31
13/06/2021

RETAKAN-RETAKAN DI PERMUKAAN
Pengkerutan masa tanah yang sedang mengering mendorong terbentuknya

retakan-retakan dengan pola poligonal. Retakan-retakan pada Vertisols
dikelompokkan mnejadi tiga, yaitu (Grossman et al., 1985):
1. Retakan-retakan vertikal yang melingkupi struktur gumpal atau prismatik

berukuran besar, pada bagian atas tanah. Retakan ini lebarnya 5-10 mm, dan
menjadi semakin dalam kalau tanah mengering terus.
2. Cracks which form angular or blocky elements at the soil surface. These form at
high water tensions, perhaps close to the wilting point.
3. Cracks which form deeper in the soil and are related to the internal
pedoturbation associated with the slickensides.

RETAKAN-RETAKAN DI PERMUKAAN
Vertisols with a granular surface soil mulch (the first set) tend to have lower bulk densities,
perhaps due to a slightly higher organic matter content and to the space between the
granules. Soils with angular surface structure (the second set) are easier to till and roots can
permeate the spaces and move deeper. In addition, the filled crack spaces are probably the
most likely areas for roots to establish during the next season because water flows easily
through these areas (Grossman et al, 1985).
Cracks have several indirect effects on crop performance. Because the rhizosphere is
dehydrated last, the cracks normally form away from the stubble of the previous crop which
sits at the centre of the polygon. In this case, dislodging of the plant is not a problem, but
when the rhizosphere also dries out, soil shrinkage could strangle or shred crop roots.
Cracks also retard surface wetting from any off-season rains. At the beginning of the rainy
season, much of the water is not available to the plants since the water is rapidly evacuated
by the void system. During the initial rain showers, the subsoil below the zone of the cracks
is moistened.
Hujan yang berturu-turut membasahi lapisan tanah-atas beberapa sentimeter,
menyebabkan lapisan tipis ini mengembang dan “seal “ permukaan. Hujan selanjutnya
menyebabkan genangan air di permukaan, pengolahan tanah menjadi sulir dan memacu
terjadinya erosi..
32
13/06/2021

Pengelolaan Lengas Tanah
Konservasi air selama musim kering dan pembuangan kelebihan air selama musim basah
menjadi praktek pengelolaan yang sangat penting bagi Vertisols, yang membedakannya dengan
tanah-tanah lainnya. Vertisols adalan tanah liat, dan karena mineral montmorillonitik,
mempunyai kapasitas menahan air yang besar, hal ini mengakibatkan rendahnya konduktivitas
hidraulik dan rendahnya laju infiltrasi.
The high amount of available water illustrated in Figure 4 is deceptive, since not all the water is
available to the plant. The water retention difference calculated from water retained at 0.03
MPa and 1.5 MPa tensions indicates the potential of the soil. Due to shrinkage and cracking, the
water is not readily available to the roots even though there is moisture in the peas.
Conserving the soil moisture while inducing more uniform soil wetting and maintaining a
suitable surface filth requires deep tillage prior to the onset of the rains. Mulsa organik dan
penambahan material tanah non-Vertisol dapat membantu berlangsungnya proses-proses ini
dnegan baik.
Bedengan lebar dan parit-dalam dapat membantu dan menguntungkan. Kalau curah hujan
dicirikan oloeh tintensitas yang tinggi, durasi hujan yang pendek, maka saluran air yang
mengikuti kontur sangat membantu menyalurkan kelebihan air hujan, dan meminimumkan erosi
tanah permukaan.
Pengelolaan Lengas Tanah

At the end of the rainy season, the challenge is to reduce evapotranspiration losses and
conserve soil moisture, so that a succeeding crop can be grown from the stored
moisture. Surface soil temperatures of the top few centimeters may reach 60°C in the
dry season. Mulching, in combination with deep filth, reduces evaporative losses and
surface soil temperatures.
Matching crops to these soil conditions is also a partial solution, but socio-economic
considerations do not always make this feasible.
Pengelolaan air-tanah pada sebidang (petakan) lahan sangat sulit

dan dalam beberapa kasus tidak mungkin dilakukan.
Sistem drainage dan irigasi teknis untuk keseluruhan daerah

aliran ternyata lebih menguntungkan dan dapat meningkatkan
efektivitas pengelolaan air.
33
13/06/2021
Depth functions of
available moisture.
(Russell M B. 1978. Profile
moisture dynamics of soil in
Vertisols and Alfisols.
Proceeding of the
International Workshop on
the Agroclimatological
Research Needs of the Semi-
Arid Tropics. ICRISAT
(International Crops
Research Institute for the
Semi-Arid Tropics).
Hyderabad, India, pp. 75-87.
)
Soil Use and Management (2003) 19, 217-222

Improved management of Vertisols in the semiarid tropics for increased productivity
and soil carbon sequestration
S.P. Wani, P. Pathak, L.S. Jangawad, H. Eswaran & P. Singh
Hipotesis: Sistem pengelolaan daerah aliran yang diperbaiki dikombinaiskan dnegan

praktek pertanmana yang tepat dapat meningkatkan produksi tanamn dan memperbaiki
kualitas tanah Vertisols, dibandingkan dnegan praktek pertanian tradisional yang ada.
Sistem yang diperbaiki mulai 1976, terdiri atas pengelolaan lahan terpadu untuk
konservasi tanah dan air dengan kelebihan air hujan didsalurkan secara terkendali.
Teknologi ini dikombinasikan dengan rotasi tanaman (berbasis legume) dan manajemen
hara terpadu.
The average grain yield of the improved system over 24 years was 4.7 t ha±1 yr±1, nearly a
five-fold increase over the traditional system (about 1 t ha±1 yr±1). There was also
evidence of increased organic C, total N and P, available N, P and K, microbial biomass C
and N in the soil of the improved system.
Hubungan positif antara P-tanah yg tersedia dan BOT menunjukkan bahwa aplikasi
pupuk P pada Vertisols meningkatkan penangkapan karbon sebesar 7.4 t C ha ± 1 dan
selanjutnya meningkatkan produktivitas pola tanam berbasis legum, dan akhirnya
memperbaiki kualitas tanah.
Diunduh dari: ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/48109/1/IND43633101.pdf………….. 28/2/2013
34
13/06/2021
TANAH VERTISOLS
. Further Reading
Ahmad N., and A. Mermut. 1996. Vertisols and Technologies for their Management.
Development in Soil Science 24. Elsevier, New York.
Developments in Soil Science 24
VERTISOLS AND TECHNGLOGIES FOR THEIR

MANAGEMENT
Edited by N. AHMAD
The University ofthe West Indies, Faculty 0f Agriculture, Depart. 0f Soil
Science, St. Augustine, Trinidad, West Indies
A. MERMUT
University of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, sasks. S7N OWO, Canada
Diunduh dari: FOTO:SMNO.HTJATI.SARADAN.NOP2012
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Bahan Kuliah SESI-10: TANAH VERTISOLS

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Bahan Kuliah SESI-10

Umumnya, curah hujan tinggi menghasilkan retakan-retakan yang intensif,

1. Relief Makro : Vertisols umumnya ditemukan di daerah-daerah

2. Micro relief: Gilgai-relief. The development of gilgai-relief is due to

It is believed that the

Diunduh dari: http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/Y1899E/y1899e06.htm

Diunduh dari: http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/ILRI/x5493E/x5493e05.html

Diunduh dari: http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/ILRI/x5493E/x5493e05.html

The development of Vertisols requires conditions that ensure the formation

Pengkerutan dan pemuaian menyebabkan terjadinya

Pedoturbation (churning) is a process which homogenizes the soil

PROSES GENESIS TANAH

Tranlokasi liat pada vertisols tidak fenomenal, namun dmeikian, adanya

In some Vertisols there is some evidence of illuviated clays in the lower

(I). Model Pedoturbasi (Self-Swallowing Model)

Persyaratan bagi pembentukan Vertisols adalah adanya mineral liat

Selama musim kering tanah retak-retak. Selama retakan ini

On rewetting the clays hydrate and expand. As expansion takes

(II). Model Mekanistik

Zone 2: This zone is typically 10 to 30 cm thick and characterized by coarse angular

Zone 4: Zone ini menjadi tempat pembentukan bidang-geser dan tebalnya

As the moisture changes become limited at 125 cm depth, slickensides become

SIFAT DAN CIRI VERTISOLS

The relatively small slickensides developed by pedogenesis

Kankars (carbonate glaebules or nodules) are basically lime concretions

SIFAT DAN CIRI VERTISOLS

The depth at which the different structural elements are

Seringkali Vertisols menunjukkan struktur gumpal bersudut

Ada enam subordo di dalam ordo Vertisol.

Diunduh dari: ………….. 25/2/2013

Soil color is used also to differentiate the 'chromic' subgroup of Vertisols.

Diunduh dari: ………….. 25/2/2013

Diunduh dari: ………….. 25/2/2013

36-76 0.115 1.32 1.84

Entic Chromoxerert 0-13 0.060 1.10 1.83

13-38 0.174 1.14 1.85

Udic Pellustert 0- 5 0.093 1.14 1.49

5-15 0.091 1.23 1.60

15-41 0.126 1.23 1.83

Typic Torrert 5-25 0.124 1.23 1.75

40-60 0.117 1.12 1.56

Diunduh dari: http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/ILRI/x5493E/x5493e05.htm………….. 1/3/2013

A number of Inceptisols, Entisols, Alfisols, Mollisols, Ultisols, and Aridisols intergrade to

Diunduh dari: ………….. 25/2/2013

Diunduh dari: http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/Y1899E/y1899e06.htm………….. 1/3/2013

Vertisols meliputi sekitar 2% dari permukaan

Diunduh dari: ………….. 25/2/2013

Tanah-tanah ini mengkerut bila kering

Diunduh dari: http://urbanext.illinois.edu/soil/orders/soiord.htm ………….. 28/2/2013

Tingginya kapasitas Vertisols untuk

Diunduh dari: http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/soilorders/i/Vert_06b.jpg ………….. 28/2/2013

1. The A horizon, called topsoil by most

2. The C horizon lacks the properties of the A

3. Retakan-retakan yang membuka

Diunduh dari: http://wwwuser.gwdg.de/~kuzyakov/soils/WRB-2006_Keys.htm ………….. 28/2/2013

Vertisols are dark clays and difficult to

Diunduh dari: http://www.fao.org/docrep/u8480e/U8480E0b.htm ………….. 28/2/2013

Cracks, surface mulch and

In most Vertisols, the

SISTEM PERTANIAN PADA Vertisols

Sifat-sifat fisika dan rezim lengas-tanah pada Vertisols menjadi

Kelebihan air selama musim hujan harus dapat disimpan untuk