Vol. 7, Issue 1 (2019)
Influence of land use type on different aggregating elements of acidic soil of Meghalaya, India
Author(s): P Helena Chanu, PK Bora, D Thakuria and V Ram
Abstract: Inappropriate land use system in Meghalaya aggravates to soil erosion and other soil degradation. The land use is an important factor affecting soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation and storage in soils. The study was conducted at Bhoirymbong of Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya in eight (8) different land use systems viz. Jhum, Upland Rice, Terrace Rice, Rice mono-culture, Rice-Potato, Pineapple, Mixed forest and Broom grass. The soil texture, soil organic carbon (SOC), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), Exchangeable Ca+Mg and hot water extractable carbon (HWEC) were measured in soil of different land uses. Aggregates were fractionated using a wet-sieving procedure to obtain the distribution of water-stable aggregates. Mean Weight Diameter (MWD) is found highest in Upland Rice (2 mm) and Terrace Rice (1.72 mm) at 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm depth, respectively in the study area. Furthermore, higher MWD in surface soil was obtained from Upland rice which indicated that as the Upland rice cultivation is traditionally a mono-culture activity without much soil manipulation the aggregation might not have broken in the cultivation process. The pH is moderately acidic in nature ranging in Bhoirymbong (5.26-6.42). Clay content was highest in Pineapple system (0-10cm) and Terrace Rice system (10-20cm) in Bhoirymbong area. In case of MWD, it was the highest in Upland Rice (2 mm) and Terrace Rice (1.72 mm) at 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm depth, respectively in both the study areas. At both depth of Bhoirymbong areas, Exch. Ca++ and Mg++ was found to be highest in Rice monoculture system (3.32 meq/100g soil and 2.68 meq/100g soil). SMBC, Exchangeable Ca++ and Mg++, Clay, HWEC and SOC show significant (p≤0.05) and strong positive correlation with MWD at both depths. The findings from this study had shown the land use system had significant influence on the aggregating elements. Besides, the influence of land use system on aggregating elements varied according to land uses. Hence, the findings of this study clearly shown that the proper selection of land use according to the state of soil aggregating elements for better soil sustainability.
Fig. 1: Location map of study area
Fig. 2: USDA Triangular textural diagram
Pages: 1819-1823 | 380 Views 49 Downloads
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How to cite this article:
P Helena Chanu, PK Bora, D Thakuria, V Ram. Influence of land use type on different aggregating elements of acidic soil of Meghalaya, India. Int J Chem Stud 2019;7(1):1819-1823.
