Soil Quality Index as Affected by Integrated Nutrient Management in the Himalayan Foothills

Abstract

Soil quality assessment serves as an index for appraising soil sustainability under varied soil management approaches. Our current investigation was oriented to establish a minimum data set (MDS) of soil quality indicators through the selection of apt scoring functions for each indicator, thus evaluating soil quality in the Himalayan foothills. The experiment was conducted during two consecutive years, viz. 2016 and 2017, and comprised of 13 treatments encompassing different combinations of chemical fertilizers, organic manure, and biofertilizers, viz. (i) the control, (ii) 20 kg P + PSB (Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria), (iii) 20 kg P + PSB + Rhizobium, (iv) 20 kg P + PSB + Rhizobium+ FYM, (v) 20 kg P + 0.5 kg Mo + PSB, (vi) 20 kg P + 0.5 kg Mo + PSB + Rhizobium, (vii) 20 kg P + 0.5 kg Mo + PSB + Rhizobium + FYM, (viii) 40 kg@ P + PSB, (ix) 40 kg P + PSB + Rhizobium, (x) 40 kg P + PSB + Rhizobium+ FYM, (xi) 40 kg P + 0.5 kg Mo + PSB, (xii) 40 kg P + 0.5 kg Mo + PSB + Rhizobium, and (xiii) 40 kg P + 0.5 kg Mo + PSB + Rhizobium + FYM. Evaluating the physical, chemical, and biological indicators, the integrated module of organic and inorganic fertilization reflected a significant improvement in soil characteristics such as the water holding capacity, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and molybdenum, different carbon fractions and soil biological characteristics encircling microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and total bacterial and fungal count. A principal component analysis (PCA) was executed for the reduction of multidimensional data ensued by scoring through the transformation of selected indicators. The soil quality index (SQI) established for different treatments exhibited a variation of 0.105 to 0.398, while the magnitude of share pertaining to key soil quality indicators for influencing soil quality index encircled the water holding capacity (WHC), the dehydrogenase activity (DHA), the total bacteria count, and the available P. The treatments that received an integrated nutrient package exhibited a higher SQI (T10—0.398; T13—0.372; T7—0.307) in comparison to the control treatment (T1—0.105). An enhanced soil quality index put forth for all organic treatments reflected an edge of any conjunctive package of reduced synthetic fertilizers with prime involvement of organic fertilizers over the sole application of inorganic fertilizers.

Assessment of Soil Variables under Different Sesame Productivities of Northern Telangana Zone

“…This agrees with the findings of Kathiresan [16]. The results demonstrated that significantly higher water holding capacity was found in higher sesame productivity zone soils compared to medium and low sesame growing areas of Northern Telangana zone, which may be due to organic matter addition, resulted in improved physical condition of soil and helps in maintaining better aeration for good seed germination and root growth of the crops [17]. This is in accordance with Paul et al [18] findings.…”

A Comparative Study of the Effects of Biofertilizers and Chemical Fertilizers on Soil Physical and Biological Properties under Chickpea Crop (Cicer arietinum L.)

“…"An improvement regarding soil porosity in response to the introduction of farmyard manure along with inorganic and biofertilizers, accounting it for a healthier environment for root proliferation, amended soil structure apart from improved water-stable aggregates-and moisture retention capacity as an upshot of the total count of storage pores". Shah et al [21] However, maximum bulk density was observed in (T3) and porosity was observed in (T11) and minimum values are recorded in untreated plants. Particle density has the opposite influence of these treatments because particle density is inversely proportional to the bulk density.…”

“…All the methods and materials of the physio-chemical and biological parameters' of soil listed in the below (Table 1). The statistical analysis of the experimental data was carried out as per the methods suggested by Gomez [21].…”

“…"In order to develop an ecofriendly approach to nourish soils, it is better to substitute the chemical fertilizers usage with different combinations of natural or organic sources along with microbial inoculations to enhance their efficiency within agriculture cropping systems". Shah et al [21].…”

Determination of the effect of soil and irrigation water quality on total chlorophyll, carbohydrates, and proteins values in cress, parsley, celery, and basil plants.

“…Soil, which is the main medium for the growth and development of plants, is affected by the water quality index [1]. The soil quality index is an important tool to document soil fertility and its affected by various environmental factors [2].…”