Status of Available Nutrients in Yamuna Ravines Under Different Landuses

Abstract

Twelve representative profiles of Research Farm, Chhaiesar, Agra representing typical ravines used under agriculture, horticulture, grasses, mixed forest and forest landuse were investigate Td for available nutrients and physico- chemical characteristics of soils. he soils under different landuses were alkaline in reaction, pH ranged between 7.6 to 9.4 Calcium carbonate was present in all the profiles (4 to 19.9%). Comparatively low values of pH and CaCO3 were observed in soils under permanent cover of vegetation. This was mainly due to higher contents of organic carbon (0.45%) of forest soils than under agriculture (0.30%) or horticulture (0.28%) landuse. Similarly the available nutrients (N, P and Zn) were higher in soils under permanent vegetation than under agriculture or horticulture landuse and were positively and significantly correlated with organic carbon contents soils (r=0.90-N, 0.82 p and 0.88 Zn). Higher availability of S, Mn and Fe was also recorded in soils under permanent vegetation than in annual crops or horticulture but negative relationship was noted with organic carbon, However, the soils under permanent cover of vegetation were found low in organic carbon, deficient in N medium in P and adequate in S, Zn, Mn and Fe while under agriculture or horticulture were categorized as very low in organic carbon, low in Mn, deficient in N, S and Zn were sufficient in Fe.