Fertility status of soils in organically and conventionally managed Paddy fields of Shivamogga district in Karnataka, India

Abstract

A survey was conducted during 2015-16 to study the effect of organic and inorganic farming practices on soil physical and chemical properties in paddy fields of Shivamogga district. Results of the soils collected from 0-20 cm depth was revealed that, practicing of organic farming recorded lower bulk density of soil, but higher maximum water holding capacity. The soil pH was slightly higher under organic farming. Higher soil organic carbon (8.28 g kg-1) and CEC(18.76 cmol (p+) kg-1) was observed in organically managed paddy fields as compared to conventionally managed farms. The higher available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was recorded in organically managed farms with a mean value of 382.29 kg ha-1, 85.31 kg ha-1 and 241.12 kg ha-1 respectively. The soils under organic farming recorded higher amount of exchangeable Ca (6.7 cmol (p+) kg-1), Mg (2.51 cmol (p+) kg-1) and available S (26.33 mg kg-1) as compared to inorganic farming with mean value of 5.87 cmol (p+) kg-1), 2.46 cmol (p+) kg-1 and 25.32 cmol (p+) kg-1. The farms under organic farming recorded higher in soil nutrient status and improved physical properties than conventional farming.