Assessment of Soil Physical Properties and Fertility in Forest Land use Regions of Kaushambi District of Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Forest ecosystems are essential for preserving soil quality and nutrient cycling; nevertheless, comparative evaluations of soil parameters across different geographic forest regions are scarce. This research investigated the physical characteristics and nutrient composition of soils from two forest land use are as-Manjhanpur and Sirathu blocks across three soil depths (0-15 cm, 15-30 cm, 30-60 cm).  Soil samples were examined for bulk density (BD), soil moisture content (SMC), water-holding capacity (WHC), particle size distribution (sand, silt, and clay), primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur), and micronutrients (iron, manganese, copper, zinc, and boron).  Results demonstrated notable depth-dependent differences in physical and chemical parameters, with bulk density rising from 1.35 to 1.60 g/cm³ in Manjhanpur and from 1.36 to 1.64 g/cm³ in Sirathu throughout soil depths.  The moisture retention from 33.27 to 39.43 % and water-holding capacities from 58.23 to 61.12 % in Manjhanpur and 33.31 to 40.15 % and 57.64 to 61.54 % in Sirathu, exhibited distinct responses with depth. The sand decreases in both the blocks i.e., 60.12 to 53.54 % in Manjhanpur and 58.65 to 51.97 % in Sirathu. The silt and clay fractions are increases with depth in both the blocks i.e., 23.15 to 27.11 % silt and 16.70 to 19.93 % in Manjhanpur and 22.77 to 27.51 % silt and 18.57 to 20.50 % in Sirathu. The Nutrient analysis indicated average nitrogen concentrations of 208.52 kg/ha at a depth of 0-15 cm in Manjhanpur, decreasing to 182.05 kg/ha at a depth of 30-60 cm while in Sirathu this decrease was from 193.40 kg/ha to 169.62 kg. Comparable declining patterns were noted for phosphorus (15.68 to 13.59 kg/ha and 15.07 to 13.00 kg/ha, respectively in both the blocks), potassium (197.65 to 167.43 kg/ha and 205.69 to 175.12 kg/ha, respectively), Sulphur (10.44 to 9.42 kg/ha and 11.25 to 7.34 kg/ha, respectively) and other vital micronutrients viz., iron (9.22 to 5.69 and 8.94 to 5.64 mg/kg), manganese (7.98 to 5.71 mg/kg and 8.20 to 5.70 kg/ha), copper (0.779 to 0.490 mg/kg and 0.794 to 0.574 mg/kg), zinc (0.725 to 0.486 mg/kg and 0.682 to 0.396 mg/kg) and boron (0.0.654 to 0.400 mg/kg and 0.650 to 0.419 mg/kg, respectively in both the blocks) with increasing soil depth. The data indicate that forest soils in both regions display stratified nutrient distribution patterns, characterized by elevated biological activity and nutrient availability in the surface horizons. The findings enhance comprehension of soil-site dynamics in forest ecosystems and establish a basis for educated land management strategies in these areas.