Appraisal of Soil Physical Properties and Preparation of Soil Variability Maps of Agricultural Research Station, Ummedganj-Kota

Abstract

Aim: The soils of various fields of Agricultural Research Station, Ummedganj-Kota were collected and analyzed for the physical properties viz. soil colour, texture, bulk density, particle density, porosity and water holding capacity. The soil maps were prepared with the help of GIS software using geo-statistical analysis Study Design:  Soil sampling, soil analysis and soil mapping. Place and Duration of Study: Agricultural Research Station, Ummedganj-Kota in 2019 and 2020 Methodology: Total 300 Geo-referenced surface (0-15 cm) soil samples collected. The bulk density of the soils ranged from 1.25 to 1.57 Mg m-3 (mean value 1.43 Mg m-3), particle density ranged from 2.57 to 2.71 Mg m-3 (mean value 2.68 Mg m-3) and the porosity of the soils ranged from 41.42 to 51.92% (mean value of 46.42%). Water holding capacity of the soils ranged from 35.11-52.46% (mean value of 44.31%). Soil colour of the different field soils were brown, dark brown, dark gray, very dark gray, and black. Results: According to soil analysis data and soil variability maps field no. 14 was best in physical properties like bulk density (1.37 Mg m-3), particle density ( 2.62Mg m-3)  and water holding capacity (49.02%) as compared to other fields of ARS, Ummedganj, Kota. Conclusion: Field  no. 14 was best in physical properties like BD, PD, Porosity and WHC as compared to other fields because organic farming practices leads to increase soil organic matter which have positive relation with physical property of the soil.