AnAlisol is a Reference Soil Group of theWorld Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB).[1]
Alisols have anargic horizon, which has a highcation exchange capacity. In the subsoil, thebase saturation is low.
There exist mixed forms, for example 'Stagnic Alisol', that are mainly Alisol, but also contain components that are found inStagnosols.
Alisols occur intropical andhumid subtropical climates, but are also found in temperate regions.[2] Compared toLixisols,Acrisols andFerralsols, Alisols have much higher-activity clays and are likely to be found on younger terrains or more geologically active regions such asKyushu andChugoku.
Alisols are acidic (increased by limited drainage) and therefore need liming, contain few nutrients and therefore need fertilizer, and do not have much surface coherence so are easily eroded.
Aluminium and manganese toxicity is a very serious problem in Alisols, because at the lowpH of these soils such generally insoluble metals become soluble and can poison plants which are not tolerant of them.Encyclopædia Britannica mentions oil palm, cotton, and maize (corn) as crops suitable to be grown on Alisols, though most crops require very intensive fertilisation for long-term success.
