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    Soil ScienceItemOpen Access
    MULTIVARIATE CHARACTERIZATION OF SOIL FERTILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF TWO BENCHMARK SOILS OF PUNJAB
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2012) Harshneet
    Two benchmark soil series of Punjab, Gehri Bhagi and Nabha were studied for their physical and chemical properties with regard to fertility and environmental status. The pH (soil:water ratio 1:2) of Gehri Bhagi series varied from 8.2 – 9.4 and that of Nabha series varied from 7.3 – 8.9. In both the series, the pH decreased with increase in organic carbon (OC) content, which in turn increased with increase in clay content. Higher OC level (7.5 g kg-1) in Nabha series caused lower pH. The pH measured in CaCl2 was less spatially variable and better related to other parameters. Available phosphorus (P) status of Gehri Bhagi soils was lower than their Nabha counterparts notwithstanding higher total P content in Gehri Bhagi soils. Available potassium (K) was higher in Gehri Bhagi series and was linearly related to non-exchangeable K content. Micronutrient status of Nabha series was higher than Gehri Bhagi soils. Heavy metal content also followed the same trend. Available Zn was highly spatially variable. Principle component analysis (PCA) and factor analysis found texture factor most important fertility variable in both the soils. The PCA of heavy metals identified siderophile factor in Nabha series and Cadmium (Cd) solubility as the major factor in Gehri Bhagi series. Texture was the common factor for both the series. Minimum dataset analysis helped downsize number of variables from 59 to 14 in Gehri Bhagi series and to 17 in Nabha series. Cluster analysis helped group soils excavated for brick-kiln purposes and soils with high fertility status.