Relationship between compaction levels (bulk density) and chemical properties of different textured soil

Abstract

The investigation entitled “Study of relationship between compaction level (bulk density) and chemical properties of different textured soil” was carried out using various research materials and analytical techniques during 2017-18 at department laboratory of Soil Science at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, UP, India. Results of study reveals that levels of compaction does not affects pH and EC significantly however soil OC was affected significantly. More impact was found in organic carbon as compare to pH and EC. Effect of compaction on amount of OC in different textured soil indicates that more organic carbon was found in sandy clay loam soil followed by sandy loam and minimum in loamy sand at same degree of compaction. A strong negative correlation of bulk density with pH (r = - 0.912, -0.943 and -0.943) EC (r = - 0.988, -0.991 and -0.992) and OC% (r = - 0.993, -0.985 and -0.989) for loamy sand, sandy loam and sandy clay loam soil, respectively was observed. The available macro nutrients (N, P and K) of soil decreased significantly with an increase in the level of compaction. A strong negative correlation of bulk density with available N (r = - 0.993, -0.995 and -0.992), available P (r = -0.985, -0.983 and -0.980) and available K (r = -0.925, -0.979 and -0.984) for loamy sand, sandy loam and sandy clay loam soil, respectively was found. Unlike available macro nutrient, the micro nutrient of soil also decreased with an increase in the level of compaction. A strong negative correlation between bulk density and available micronutrients Zinc r = - 0.925, -0.944 and -0.929 and Iron r = -0.981, -0.974 and -0.931 for loamy sand, sandy loam and sandy clay loam soil, respectively was also recorded.