Assessment of Physico-chemical Properties of Soil from Different Blocks of Purnea District, Bihar, India

Abstract

The present study was carried out in the Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry lab at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences. The sampling location was Purnea district of Bihar. The objective of the study was to analyze the Physico-chemical properties in soil of Purnea district of Bihar, India. Depth wise soil samples were collected from nine different village of 3 blocks of selected spots at 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm. The total no. of 27 samples were collected from several farmer's fields, and composite sampling was carried out. The results revealed that the texture of the soil is sandy loam. The bulk density ranged from 0.95 to 1.29 (Avg. 1.12) Mg m-3, particle density from 2.22 to 2.34 (Avg. 2.28) Mg m-3, pore space from 43.19 to 48.71 (Avg. 45.95) %, water holding capacity from 38.56 to 46.58 (Avg. 42.57) %. The pH ranged from 6.52 to 6.82 (Avg. 6.68), E.C. ranged from 0.31 to 0.45 (Avg. 0.38) dS m-1. The soil organic carbon ranged from 0.15 to 0.33 (Avg. 0.24) %. Available nitrogen ranged from 162.02 to 255.64 (Avg. 208.83) kg ha-1, available phosphorous ranged from 8.84 to 20.21 (Avg. 14.525) kg ha-1, available potassium ranged from 76.30 to 170.70 (Avg. 123.50) kg ha-1, exchangeable calcium ranged from 3.2 to 4.8 (Avg. 4.00) Meq 100g-1, exchangeable magnesium ranged from 0.60 to 1.00 (Avg. 0.855) Meq 100g-1. The Soil has acceptable BD, PD, pore space, and water holding capacity. As a result of the beneficial electrical conductivity for plants, the pH of the soil is slightly acidic to neutral. Available Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Exchangeable Calcium and Magnesium are low in macronutrients. The results indicated that overall soils were in moderate conditions and farmers required maintaining soil health card, adopting suitable management practices, and providing proper nutrition to the soil to overcome the pollution effect.