SOIL ANALYSIS AND DETERMINATION OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

In different seasons soil samples were collected randomly from three different places of the same site. Each sample obtained from two different depths such as top soil (0-18cm) and subsoil (18-36cm) and put into separate polythene bags. The triplicate samples of the same depth of same site were mixed together to make composite sample. So that one sample for each depth was obtained from that site. These soil samples were tagged separately and preserved for soil analysis in the laboratory. Standard methods were followed for soil analysis.

SOIL TEMPERATURE

Centigrade thermometer was used to determination of soil temperature.

HYDROGEN-ION CONCENTRATION (pH) OF SOIL 

Soil pH was measured by HANNA digital pH meter (Model HI98107). The ratio of soil to water 1:2.5.

SOIL SALINITY

Soil salinity was measured by portable waterproof Multi-Range Conductivity Meter (Model no Hl9635).

TOTAL NITROGEN OF SOIL

Total Nitrogen was determined by Micro-Kjeldahl’s Method as described by Jackson (1973). The data expressed in percentage (%).

AVAILABLE SOIL PHOSPHORUS

Available soil Phosphorus was extracted with Bray-1 reagent (Bray and Kutz 1945). The Phosphate content of the extract was determined by ascorbic acid blue colour method (Murphy and Riley 1962). The intensity of colour was determined by using Spectrophotometer. The resultant data were expressed in micro gm/g soil.

AVAILABLE SOIL POTASSIUM

Potassium content of soil was determined by Ammonium Acetate Method. The data were expressed in meq/100g soil.

AMMONOUM ACETATE EXTRACTABLE CONTENTS

Neutral 1N NH4OAC (Sehollenberger and Simon 1945) extractable potassium were determined by Flame Photometer and calcium and magnesium were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The data of calcium and magnesium were expressed in meq/100g soil.

SOIL ORGANIC CARBON

Soil organic carbon was determined by Walkely and Black’s wet oxidation method as outlined by Jackson (1973). The resultant data were expressed in percentage (%).

SOIL ORGANIC MATTER

Soil organic matter was calculated by multiplying the percent value of organic carbon by the conversion factor of 1.724. The resultant data were expressed in percentage (%).

CATION EXCHANGE CAPACITY (CEC)

Cation exchange capacity of the soil was determined by using neutral 1N NH4OAC solution as described by Black (1965). The data were expressed in meq/100g soil.