Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
Muthyala Abhiram, Naveen Leno, Rani B, Anil Kumar KS and Rafeekher M

Abstract:
A study was carried out in Marayur Hills of Western ghats in Kerala to understand the relationship between various physical, chemical and biological properties in surface and sub-surface soils. The samples were collected from surface (0–15 cm) and subsurface (15–30 cm) layers of soils which covered major natural forest and arable lands in Marayur High Hills region. The collected samples were characterized for Physical (particle density), Chemical (electrical conductivity (EC), exchangeable acidity (EA)) and Biological (acid phosphatase activity) properties. Particle density varied from 1.65 Mg m^-3 to 2.65 Mg m^-3 in surface soil samples and varied from 1.73 to 2.77 Mg m^-3 subsurface layer. Cent percent samples in both layers comes under non saline category. Majority (90%) of surface samples showed EA below 0.5 cmol kg^-1 and 83.3% samples in subsurface layer ranged EA between 0.5 to 1 cmol kg^-1. Surface soils showed 16.9% more acid phosphatase activity than subsurface layer.