Assessment of Physico-chemical Properties of Soil and Irrigation Water Quality of Phulpur Blocks of Prayagraj District, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

We aimed to study nutrient status in Phulpur block of Prayagraj District of Uttar Pradesh, India. We collected representative soil samples covering nine villages of Phulpur division at depths like 0-15cm, 15-30cm and 30-45cm before sowing of crops. The soil samples were analyzed for their physico-chemical properties. Results show that the soil samples of the areas of the Phulpur division were found to be mildly alkaline and non-saline. There are many reasons leading to soil quality deterioration, including changes in land use types of forest to arable land and the consequences of intensive land use. The colour of soil changes between the three depths at all locations. There were differences in the colour of dry and wet soils was dark brown to dark yellowish brown. The soil bulk density varied from 1.22 to 1.41 Mg m-3, soil particle density varied from 2.291 to 2.452 Mg m-3, pore space from 41.6 to 48.2 %, water holding capacity from 36.60 to 43.30 % respectively. Soil pH varied from 7.26 to 7.84 and EC is 0.24 to 0.38 dS m-1. while soil organic carbon varied from 0.29 to 0.45 % and available nitrogen from low to medium (180 to 275 kg ha-1), available phosphorous from medium to high (10.80 to 22.5 kg ha-1), potassium was found to be medium range (132.00 to 231.00 kg ha⁻1), exchangeable calcium and magnesium low from (3.48 to 5.50 Meq 100g-1) and (1.66 to 2.72 Meq 100g-1) respectively. The water pH of varied from 6.24 to 7.50, the electrical conductivity of water ranged from 0.31 to 0.90 dS m-1, the bicarbonate of water varied from 7 to 18 Meq L-1, the chloride of water varied from 4.5 to 10.4 Meq L-1, the available calcium of water varied from 4.2 to 8 Meq L-1, the available magnesium of water varied from 2.5 to 3.6 Meq L-1, the potassium of water varied from 0.05 to 0.17 Meq L-1 and the sodium of water varied from 0.08 to 0.21 Meq L-1. The sodium absorption ratio (SAR) ranged from 0.03 to 0.1 Meq L-1, indicating low to moderate levels of sodium content in the water samples. The soluble sodium percent (SSP) ranged from 1.47 to 3.93 Meq L-1, providing further insight into the sodium content in the water. The residual sodium carbonate (RSC) varied from -2.4 to 7.4 Meq L-1. The permeability Index (PI) ranged from 28 to 56 Meq L-1, serving as an indicator of the potential impact of water on soil permeability, the Kelley's ratio (KR) ranged from 0.08 to 0.024 Meq L-1. The KR is a measure of the sodium hazard in irrigation water, with lower values indicating a lower risk of sodium-related issues in soil and crops. The range of the irrigation water quality index value ranged from 44 to 157 Meq L-1 it was determined that 100% of the samples are in suitable range for irrigation.