*3.5.2 Agglomerative hierarchical analysis*

Agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) of the principal components showed a representation of the soil variables in homogenous classes where soils of same class exhibited similar values. The three major classes distinctively categorized by the AHC are depicted by dendrogram (**Figure 5**) which also displayed the cohesiveness of clusters formed. Class 1 soils were characterized by fines (silt, clay), plasticity and moisture contents (MC, OMC) parameters. Approximately, 47% of these soils were of the migmatite-gneiss derived origin (PCB) with a p-value <0.001.

**Figure 4.** *Score plot and correlation circle obtained with PCA.*

**Figure 5.** *Dendrogram of the studied soil variables.*

Similarly, Class 3 showed significant clustering with densities (BD, DD, and MDD) parameters of mainly metasediment origin (PCM). Class 2 soils performed poorly owing to few parameters and p-value >0.05, which might be from the older granite derived origin (PCG).
