Status and variability of soil nutrients and carbon sequestration with depth in the Tasar host plants growing soils

Abstract

A study was carried out in different tasar host plants growing locations to assess the status of soil physical properties, soil nutrients and carbon accumulation over the different soil depths. A soil profile was studied at each location and four samples collected at 25 cm interval from top soil to 100 cm soil depth. Standard methods were employed to analyse soil physical and chemical properties. Results showed that pH and EC of selected soils does not follow any particular pattern but varies down the profiles. All the available nutrients both macro and micronutrients except Boron was observed as higher in top soils and declined sharply with increasing depths. However, Boron availability was increased with increasing depth. The surface soil of different places was found to be higher carbon sequestered than lower soil profile. Hence, information on nutrient distribution in different soil depth may provide for best soil nutrient management at different tasar host plants growing soils for sustainable tasar silk productivity.