Impact of Farm Yard Manure and Goat Manure as Organic Amendment on Physico-chemical and Physical Properties of Theri Soil

Abstract

The study on soil quality assessment in red sandy soils (chemical Theri soil) of Punnai Nagar (Kachanavillai) in Tuticorin district, Tamilnadu, south India was carried out during 2014(Oct) to 2015(Jan). Investigations were carried out on the surface (15 cm depth) of soil samples with the objective to assess the available nutrients and their relationship with various physico-Chemical properties. The soil has low  available N=78 kg/ha, low organic carbon OC=0.19%, medium P=5 kg/ha, K=104 kg/ha and Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu are  takes a value of 0.369 ppm, 0.985 ppm, 4.861 ppm and 1.996 ppms. Theri soil subject to higher rate of erosion resulting in low nutrient and minerals. The permeability of water in theri soil is high and is not suitable for agriculture which is presently considered as a wasteland. Hence, the fertility and productivity of theri soil may be improved on sustainable basis using Organic farming. The treatments of this study were combination of Farmyard manure (FYM) and Goat manure. The experiment was laid out in Pot culture with 3 replications. All the amendments were applied and wetting with water regularly for 90 days without allowing them to get dried. After 90 days measurements were made. The result suggest that the use of organic amendment  will increases NPK, Water holding capacity, Pore space, EC, Organic Carbon and decreased  pH, bulk density, Particle density, Hydraulic conductivity. These changes in soil environment improved the soil fertility without affecting soil health.