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Open Access
Nutrient Status of Cherry Orchard Soils in Ganderbal District of Central Kashmir
(SKUAST Kashmir, 2022) Sumyrah Mukhtar; Subhash Chand
To study the “Nutrient status of cherry orchard soils in Ganderbal District of Central Kashmir” soil samples were collected from 10 cherry orchards at different locations. The soil samples collected were taken from three depths viz. 0-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm, respectively and analysed for various physico-chemical parameters, available nutrients, biological parameters and correlation between available soil nutrients and physico-chemical properties were worked out. The study revealed that soils were silt loam to clay loam in texture. The soils were slightly acidic to slightly alkaline with normal electrical conductivity. Organic carbon content was medium to high. Bulk density, particle density and porosity varied from 1.23 to 1.43 Mg m-3, 2.30 to 2.46 Mg m-3 and 40.0 to 47.0 per cent respectively. The available nitrogen was medium with a range of 274.3 to 415.9 kg/ha. The available phosphorus and potassium were medium to high with a range of 17.0 to 31.7 and 154.0 to 347.5 kg/ha respectively. The soils revealed a high content of available calcium and magnesium and varied from 2025 to 2275 and 224 to 286 ppm respectively. The available sulphur content showed an erratic trend down the profile and was found in the range of 9.77 to 12.27 ppm. The DTPA- extractable zinc, copper, iron and manganese ranged from 0.98 to 2.57, 0.77 to 1.80, 14.84 to 50.21 and 16.48 to 37.86 ppm respectively. The micronutrients revealed a decreasing trend with increase in depth. The bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes were found in the range of 5.3 to 7.5 × 106 cfu/g soil, 4.1 to 5.6 ×105 cfu/g soil and 1.3 to 2.6 104 cfu/g soil respectively. The correlation studies revealed that the pH showed negative and significant correlation with available nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, DTPA-extractable zinc, copper, iron, manganese while as it showed positive significant correlation with available calcium and magnesium. The soil organic carbon showed positive significant correlation with available nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, DTPA-extractable zinc, copper, iron and manganese while as negative non-significant correlation with available calcium and magnesium. The electrical conductivity exhibited non-significant and negative relationship with available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, DTPA-extractable zinc, copper, iron and manganese however it revealed a significant and positive correlation with available calcium and magnesium in the cherry orchard soils of Ganderbal under investigation. It can be concluded that programmes can be very useful for farmers in assessing the need of fertilizers as to when and what quantity is to be applied for improving the yeild of their orchards. Cherry, Ganderbal, Nutrients, Soil, Correlation, Soil Science
Open Access
Evaluation and assessment of soil health parameters upon land conversion
(SKUAST Kashmir, 2022) Suheeba Fayaz; Kirmani, Nayar Afaq
Assessing land conversion induced changes in soil properties are essential for addressing issues of sustainable land productivity. In the present investigation (2020-2021) soil samples from three land use systems viz; orchard land at thirty years of conversion, orchard land under fifteen years of conversion, and paddy land under no conversion at three depths i.e. 0-15cm, 15-30cm, and 30-45cm were analysed to check the effect of time of land conversion on the physiochemical properties, biological activities and overall soil health status of soils from Kulgam district of Kashmir valley. It was found that among all the three land use types the orchard soils under thirty years of conversion showed improved physico-chemical properties followed by orchard soils under fifteen years of conversion. The greatest changes in the microbial population were seen in orchard land of thirty years of conversion and the decline in the populations was seen more in case of paddy land under no conversion. All the physiochemical parameters viz; organic carbon, electrical conductivity and other macro and micronutrients like available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, iron, copper, manganese, zinc showed an increasing trend except for pH, bulk density, available calcium and magnesium which were found to be decreasing from T1 to T3 ( time of land conversion). Overall, the study depicted that soil quality of orchard lands at thirty years of conversion and orchard lands at fifteen years of conversion was good, indicating conducive nature of these lands for the accumulation of soil organic carbon. The results obtained justify the supposition, that land conversion has a great impact on soil quality and the addition of organic matter through organic inputs maintains the sustainability of agriculture.
Open Access
Characterization, Classification and Evaluation of Soils under Apple cultivation in district Budgam
(SKUAST Kashmir, 2022) Mehvish Fayaz; Wani, J. A.
Characterization and classification of apple growing soils was carried out in district Budgam. Nine pedons were exposed on the basis of soil heterogeneity, vegetation, physiography, elevation, slope and soil color. Site features, soil morphological characteristics were recorded on-spot and physico-chemical properties were determined using standard techniques. Soil classification, land capability and land evaluation study was carried out. The topography was level to hilly with slight to moderate erosion. The drainage varied from well to moderately well. The morphological characteristics indicated that the color of the soils was 10YR with a value between 2 to 5 and chroma varies between 1 to 4. The structure varied from fine weak granular to moderate crumb in surface and very fine to medium, moderate to strong, sub-angular blocky in sub-surface horizons. The study revealed that the soils were shallow to deep with profile development A-Bw-C to A-Bw-BC in low, medium and high altitude soils, respectively. The organic carbon content was confined more in surface horizons than in sub-surface horizons. Soil reaction was slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. In general, the texture varied from loam to clay loam. Cation Exchange Capacity of the soils showed little variation with mean value of 13.57, 13.91 and 16.32 cmolc kg-1 soil in low, mid and high altitude soils, respectively. Exchangeable calcium was dominant cation followed by magnesium, sodium and potassium. The available nutrients N, P, K and S were medium in range; Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn were medium to high. The soils were classified as fine loamy, mesic, mixed, Typic Eutrudepts (P1, P4 and P6), fine, mesic, mixed, Typic Humudepts (P2 and P9), fine, mesic, mixed, Typic Hapludolls (P3) fine, mesic, mixed, Typic Eutrudepts (P5 and P8), and fine loamy, mesic, mixed, Lithic Eutruchrepts (P7) up to family level as per Keys to Soil Taxonomy of USDA (2014). As per the Land Capability Classification, soils were classified into three classes viz, II, III and IV with limitation of topography, physical soil conditions and fertility. The soil suitability evaluation revealed that the soils of the study area are moderately (S2) and marginally suitable (S3) for apple cultivation.
Open Access
Nutrient Indexing of High Density Apple Orchards of SKUAST-K, Shalimar
(SKUAST Kashmir, 2022) Durkhshan Sultan; Kumar, Sandeep
The present investigation was undertaken to study soil characteristics and fertility status of high-density apple orchards established at SKUAST-K, Shalimar. In this context five locations (four from high density apple orchards viz. orchard 1, orchard 2, orchard 3 and orchard 4 and one from uncultivated land) were selected from within the campus and 10 samples were collected from each location at two depths 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm. The particle distribution pattern confirmed that the texture varied from clay loam to silty clay loam. The soils were slightly acidic to slightly alkaline with normal electrical conductivity (EC). Organic carbon was medium to high in orchard soils while low in uncultivated soil. Soils were medium in available nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulphur, medium to high in DTPA-copper, high in DTPA-iron and manganese while found deficient in DTPA-zinc. All chemical and biological properties except pH, EC and exchangeable calcium and magnesium revealed a decreasing trend with increasing depth of soil. Among the physical properties, bulk and particle densities increased with depth while as porosity decreased. Soil pH exhibited a significant and negative correlation with available nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulphur, DTPA-copper, iron, zinc and manganese and a non-significant and negative correlation with available potassium. While it revealed a significant positive correlation with exchangeable calcium and non-significant positive correlation with exchangeable magnesium. Organic carbon also showed a significant and positive correlation with available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur, DTPA-iron, copper, zinc and-manganese. A significant and negative correlation of bulk density was found with all the available nutrients. Non-significant and negative correlation of pH with bacteria and fungi was observed while as pH revealed a significant and negative correlation with fungi. A significant and positive correlation was found between organic carbon and microbial population. Bulk density revealed a significant and negative correlation with bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. The subsequent evaluation showed that soils of orchard 1 were low in DTPA-zinc, medium in available nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulphur and high in DTPA-iron, copper and -manganese. The overall nutrient index values (NIV) for available nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulphur, DTPA- iron, copper, zinc and manganese were 2.2, 2.3, 2.25, 2.05, 2.6, 2.35, 1.5 and 2.8, respectively. The evaluation of orchard 2 revealed that soils were high in DTPA-iron and manganese, medium in available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and suphur and low in DTPA-zinc. The NIV for available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, DTPA-iron, copper, zinc and manganese were 2.5, 2.1, 2.2, 1.95, 2.5, 2.15, 1.35 and 2.9, respectively. Similar results were found in orchard 3 and orchard 4 with respective NIV for available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium sulphur, DTPA-iron, copper, zinc and manganese as 1.95, 1.7, 2.45, 1.85, 2.6, 2.15, 1.2 and 2.7 and 1.75, 1.9, 2.1, 1.7, 2.6, 1.95, 1.25 and 2.75 respectively. The evaluation of uncultivated location revealed that the soils were low in all the nutrients viz. available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, DTPA-iron, copper, zinc and manganese with an overall NIV of 1.1, 1.3, 1.1, 1.05, 1.1, 1.25, 1.05 and 1.2, respectively. It can be concluded that all the orchards are adequately supplied with nutrients and with the age of the orchard nutrient requirements also change. The present study is expected to be quite useful for researchers for formulation of effective nutrient management programme and can be used as a basis for making fertilizer recommendations in high density apple orchard soils of SKUAST-K. It is imperative to follow proper management practices to improve zinc status of soils. Further uncultivated land can be successfully converted into an orchard with appropriate treatments and management.
Open Access
Speciation of Boron and Calcium in Grape Growing Soils of District Ganderbal
(SKUAST Kashmir, 2022) Bisma Irshad; Bhat, Mohammad Auyoub
Chemical speciation is used to identify and quantify different forms of soil nutrients, each forming a fraction of total soil pool. Boron (B) and calcium (Ca) also exist in various chemical forms and their determination is important for predicting dynamics and transformation between different soil fractions and the overall availability to plants. Keeping this fact in view, a systematic investigation was carried out to assess the status of chemical forms of boron and calcium in grape growing soils of district Ganderbal. Fifteen surface sub-soil samples (0-30 cm depth) were collected from eight sites under grape cultivation. The sub-samples of individual sites were mixed to make a composite sample that represented average of the area of each site being sampled. Petiole samples were also collected from the same orchards and same vines from where soil samples were collected. The soil samples were processed and analysed for speciation of boron and calcium adopting standard sequential extraction procedures. The chemical forms of boron viz. readily soluble, specifically adsorbed, oxide bound, organically bound and residual boron and of calcium viz. exchangeable, carbonate bound and oxide bound calcium were determined to reveal their relative abundance and distribution in soils, which varied in the order: residual boron > organically bound boron > oxide bound boron > specifically adsorbed boron > readily soluble boron and exchangeable calcium > carbonate bound calcium > oxide bound calcium. Thus, among boron forms, residual boron and among calcium forms, exchangeable calcium were found to be the dominant fractions in the investigated soils. The correlation and stepwise regression analysis of the data revealed that the cation exchange capacity and clay content were the prime factors affecting bioavailable forms of boron (readily soluble boron and specifically adsorbed boron) and cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity and calcium carbonate affecting bioavailable forms of calcium (exchangeable calcium and carbonate bound calcium) in soils. Based on petiole analysis reference standards, boron was deficient and calcium marginally adequate at majority of sites. Readily soluble boron was found to be the most important form influencing petiole boron concentration and exchangeable calcium the most important form influencing petiole calcium concentration. The study may prove useful to farmers of the area in managing boron and calcium nutrition and improving quality and productivity of vineyards.
Open Access
Nutrient Indexing of Floating and Non-Floating Gardens around Dal Lake in Kashmir
(SKUAST Kashmir, 2022) Asra Meraj; Rehana Rasool
The present investigation entitled “Nutrient Indexing of Floating and Non-Floating Gardens around Dal Lake in Kashmir” was carried out to assess the fertility status of the soil using fertility indicators and to correlate the fertility status of soil with soil characteristics. The study was carried out in the Dal catchment of Jammu and Kashmir. Surface soil samples at a depth of (0 – 15 cm) were collected from the vegetable gardens around Dal Lake. Forty samples were collected each from floating and non-floating areas. The samples collected were shade dried, processed and analyzed for all the physical, chemical, & biological parameters and fertility status. The results indicate that the floating gardens were rich in organic matter and many other physical and chemical characteristics. The overall physical properties were good in the floating gardens. Bulk density of the soil was found good in floating gardens. This may be due to an increased availability of organic matter. Silt percentage was found similar in both the locations since both belong to a single catchment. However, the clay percentage was found to be higher in the floating gardens while as the non-floating gardens had a higher percentage of sand. Soil moisture, water holding capacity and porosity were also found better in the floating gardens. The overall microbial population, microbial activity and microbial biomass carbon were more in floating gardens. The increased organic matter and high microbial activity in the floating gardens increased the availability of macro and micro nutrients in the floating gardens. Bulk density of soil showed a negative significant relationship with the organic carbon. However, the availability of nutrients and the biological properties showed a significant positive relationship with the organic carbon content. The subsequent evaluation showed that soils of floating gardens were low in phosphorus, sulphur and zinc, medium in nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium, and high in iron. Also the soils in non-floating gardens were low in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur, and medium in potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. The overall NIV for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc in floating gardens was 2.25, 1.67, 1.72, 1.65, 2.02, 2.17, 2.75 and 1.50 respectively and in case of non-floating gardens it was 1.57, 1.22, 1.75, 1.65, 1.85, 2.07, 2.22 and 1.90 respectively.
Open Access
Impact of Different Horticultural Land use Systems on Soil Properties and Nutrient Status of District Budgam
(SKUAST Kashmir, 2022) Adil Bashir; Farida Akhter
The land use systems, crop species and cropping systems play a very important role in maintaining the organic matter of soil because both quantity and quality of the crop residue return to soil vary greatly affecting their residence time in soil. This organic matter improves the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and the assessment of the soils of different land use systems provides an information regarding the soil sustainability. The present study entitled “Impact of Different Horticultural Land use Systems on Soil Properties and Nutrient Status of District Budgam” was undertaken for achieving the required objectives. Four land use systems were taken in Budgam district with ten locations and three depths from each system. The soil texture was medium to moderately fine in nature. The highest (2.67 g cm-3) mean value of particle density was observed in plum and lowest (2.61 g cm-3) in almond while as the highest (1.37 g cm-3) mean value of bulk density was observed in apple and lowest (1.23 g cm-3) in almond. The highest (27.31%) mean value of soil moisture content was observed in apple and lowest (22.69%) in almond. The pH of soils was found to be in neutral and the highest (7.34) mean value of soil pH was observed in pear and lowest (7.18) in plum. The highest (0.35 dSm-1) mean value of electrical conductivity was observed in pear and lowest (0.21 dSm-1) in apple and the highest (0.76%) mean value of organic carbon was observed in apple and lowest (0.63%) in plum. Calcium carbonate content ranged from 2.00 to 4.02% and the highest (16.76 cmol (p+kg-1) mean value of cation exchange capacity was observed in pear and lowest (15.05 cmol (p+kg-1)) in plum growing soils. The macronutrients showed a wide difference under the studied land use systems. The highest (117.87 mg kg-1, 7.87 mg kg-1, 86.56 mg kg-1,13.02 mg kg-1, 480.76 mg kg-1) and lowest (94.80 mg kg-1, 5.45 mg kg-1, 73.94 mg kg-1,6.52 mg kg-1,384.30 mg kg-1) mean value of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and magnesium content was observed in apple and plum growing soils respectively. The highest (2058.20 mg kg-1) mean value of available calcium content was observed in apple and lowest (1685.53 mg kg-1) in almond. The DTPA-available micronutrients also showed a significant difference in these soils with the highest (0.99 ppm, 1.20 ppm, 17.69 ppm) and lowest (0.62ppm, 0.99ppm, 15.27ppm) mean value of DTPA-available zinc, copper and manganese content was observed in apple and plum growing soils respectively. The highest (20.84 ppm) mean value of available iron content was observed in almond and lowest (17.26 ppm) in apple. The different land use systems had a great impact on microbial community of the soil. The highest (78.80 cfu ×106/g, 31.46 cfu ×106/g, 4.20 cfu ×106/g) and lowest (41.50 cfu ×106/g, 19.60 cfu ×105/g, 2.66 cfu ×105/g) mean value of total viable bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes was observed in apple and almond growing soils respectively. pH showed a negative significant correlation with nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, zinc, copper, manganese and iron and a positive significant correlation with calcium and magnesium. Electrical conductivity showed a negative and significant correlation with nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, zinc, copper, manganese and iron. Organic carbon showed a positive correlation with all nutrients. The cation exchange capacity showed a positive and significant correlation with nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, potassium, sulphur and zinc.
Open Access
Standardization of extraction procedures for Nickel in soil coupled with advanced spectroscopic methods
(SKUAST Kashmir, 2022) Insha Irshad; Kirmani, Nayar Afaq
To evaluate the standardization of extraction procedures, simple and rapid pre-concentration techniques viz. solid phase extraction (SPE), liquid liquid extraction (LLE) and cloud point extraction (CPE) were applied for the determination of nickel in soil. The extracts obtained through the three processes were subjected to the elemental analysis by Flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS), Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (GFAAS), Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) and Ultra violet visible spectrometer (UV-VIS) for comparative evaluation of nickel recovery. Recoveries greater than 90% were obtained in all the three extractions. Effect of pH, centrifugation time, concentration of the surfactant, volume of the extracting reagent and shaking time were all studied. The detection limits of 0.021 µg g-1, 0.020 µg g-1, 0.025 µg g-1 and 0.01 µg g-1 were obtained for FAAS, GFAAS, ICP-OES and UV-VIS respectively with relative standard deviations less than 2%. Cloud point extraction proved to be more effective for nickel estimation. The interactions of surfactant concentration with time, surfactant concentration with pH and pH with centrifuge time showed significant effect on nickel estimation. The GFAAS proves to be better technique to decipher nickel estimation although other techniques showed higher values. The optimized methods were validated and each gave an accuracy greater than 90% and precision <1.5%.
Open Access
Impact of different land uses on soil characteristics of Chandanwari micro-watershed of district Anantnag
(SKUAST Kashmir, 2019) Haziq Shabir; Aziz Mujtaba Aezum
Chandanwari micro-watershed of Lidder Catchment is situated in southern part of Kashmir Valley. This micro-watershed is located between 34°00'59"N to 34°03'43"N latitude and 75°19'18"E to 75°21'56"E longitude. After traversing the whole Chandanwari area, several aspects like climate, vegetation, and relief were recorded and micro-watershed was selected for study purpose. The samples were taken from selected four different land uses at three depths i.e.; 0-15cm, 15-30cm, 30-45cm. The total area of selected micro-watershed is approximately 8 km² and the elevation of this micro-watershed ranges from 2235 to 2470 meters above mean sea level. In order to assess and investigate soil quality status of study area, a total of 60 surface and sub-surface soil samples were taken, examined and analyzed for physicochemical and biological properties. The pH of the soils is slightly acidic to neutral with highest in agriculture land use (7.18) and lowest in forest land use (5.68). The highest electrical conductivity was recorded in agriculture land use (0.29 dSm-1) and lowest was recorded in fallow land use (0.15 dSm-1). Higher concentration of OC (%) was found in forests (1.77) and lower in fallow land (1.09) while as the concentration of CaCO3 (%) was found highest in forests (0.75) and lowest in agriculture land use (0.36). The CEC (cmolc kg-1 soil) was almost same in agriculture (25.61) and forest land use (25.63) while as lowest CEC (cmolc kg-1 soil) was observed in fallow soils (20.10). The bulk density and particle density between different land use systems did not show much variation. The agriculture land use system had low amount of available nitrogen (222.46 kgha-1) while as the highest was recorded in forest land use system (402.68 kgha-1). The available phosphorous and potassium was found in medium range in all the four land uses. The highest Sulphur content was found in forest land use with a mean value of 27.50 kgha-1 while as the lowest was found in agriculture land use with a mean value of 18.34 kgha-1. Moreover, the population of total viable bacteria, total viable fungi, PSB, KSB and ZnSB was also obtained which showed a lesser variation within the depths while as higher variation was found between different land uses. The overall soil health of the study area depicted a good status.

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