Assessment of chemical properties of soils from different ecosystems located in Hyderabad

Abstract

Nutrients present in the soil are most important elements required for the soil fertility and plant growth. These nutrients require plants in adequate proportions. This study was conducted to evaluate the chemical properties of selected soil ecosystems in outer side of Hyderabad – agricultural, organic farming, forest and industrial area. The variables tested included PH, EC, OC, N, P, K to understand status of soil fertility. The study revealed the PH of the soil samples ranges from 7.01 to 7.41 and was on slightly alkaline side but within the limits 6.5 – 8.5 which is optimum for crops except forest soil shows lower value. The EC values ranged from 0.2 dSm-1 to 0.503 dSm-1 and were within in the limits of 0.8 dSm-1 indicates lower the salinity of soil samples. Organic carbon content showed similar values for all soil samples. Available Nitrogen and Phosphorous content negatively affected all soil samples except organic farming. Potassium levels optimum for organic and forest but lower the values for chemically fertilized and industrial soil samples.