Assessment of Physical Properties of Soils from Different Villages of Osmanabad District, Maharashtra, India
Snehal Padwal *
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Narendra Swaroop
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Tarence Thomas
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Anurag Kumar Singh
School of Agricultural Studies, Geeta University, Panipat, Haryana, India.
Indar Raj Naga
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study was carried out with the objective of analysing the physical properties for determining depth wise nutrient distribution and variation from three different villages of Osmanabad district, Maharashtra. The twenty-seven soil samples were collected from three different villages on different depth that is 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm of farmer’s fields.
The colour of the soil sample in dry condition varies at different depths from dark yellowish brown to very dark brown and in wet condition it varies from very dark brown to black. The results revealed that the texture of soil was clay found in all the three respective depths. The Bulk density of different depths varied from 1.17 to 1.21 Mg m-3, Particle density from 2.46 to 2.53 Mg m-3, Percent Pore Space from 40.88% to 48.40 %, Water Holding Capacity from 42.02% to 45.00 %. To maintain fertility of soil, farmers have to test their soils to obtain higher crop yield.
Keywords: Physical properties, Osmanabad District, black cotton soil, WHC