Impact of Land Use Systems on Soil Chemical Properties in Semi-Arid Tropics of Western Maharashtra, India

Abstract

The study was conducted across eight districts of western Maharashtra during 2020–2021 to assess the impact of diverse land use systems on key soil chemical properties and carbon sequestration potential. Soil samples were collected from seven major land use systems (agriculture, forest, fallow, pasture, salt-affected, horticulture, and agroforestry) at two depths (0–15 cm and 15–30 cm) and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), and available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Results revealed significant variation in soil chemical properties across land use systems. Forest and agroforestry systems showed higher organic carbon and nitrogen contents, while salt-affected soils exhibited elevated pH and EC. Organic carbon and nutrient levels generally declined with soil depth. Strong correlations were observed between organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, indicating their interdependence under different land management practices. These findings highlight the critical role of sustainable land use in enhancing soil health and carbon storage in semi-arid tropical regions.