Abstract

This paper presents research results of the mineral composition of vertisols from Pcinja District in the southern part of the Republic of Serbia. Geological substrates were identified and positioned on the geological map of Serbia, soil profiles (no.1, 4 to 6) were opened and soil samples were taken in order to perform soil analysis. The mineral composition of soil samples was revealed by the X-ray powder diffraction analysis. The results showed that montmorillonite in these vertisols (from Pcinja District) are partially formed by transformation of primary minerals: micas (mica ® illite ® montmorillonite), feldspars (feldspar ® sericite ®illite ® montmorillonite), plagioclases (plagioclase ® sericite ® montmorillonite) and the rest of montmorillonite originate from the parent material.

Key words: Vertisols, mineral composition, montmorillonite.