Vol. 10, Issue 8 (2021)

Author(s):
Yavanika P, Madhuri KVN, Giridhara Krishna T and Maheshwara Reddy P

Abstract:
A study was undertaken carried out during 2020-21 in Chittoor district of A.P. to know the impact of major cropping systems on soil physical and physico-chemical properties. A total of 60 soil samples (15 from each cropping system) under four major cropping systems viz., groundnut-redgram intercropping system, sugarcane-sugarcane sequence cropping system, paddy monocropping system and perennial fodder system were collected and studied. Soils from paddy monocropping system (1.56 Mg m^-3) recorded significantly highest bulk density than other cropping systems whereas, lowest in perennial fodder system (1.33 Mg m^-3). The texture of soils in all four cropping systems was almost similar ranging from sandy loam to sandy clay loam. Majority of the samples in perennial fodder and paddy monocropping systems epitomized under sandy clay loam texture. Soils were found to be neutral to slightly alkaline in reaction, non-saline, low to medium in organic carbon and non-calcareous in all the cropping systems studied. Slightly alkaline pH was recorded in perennial fodders (8.31) and neutral in groundnut-redgram intercropping system (7.22). Soils under perennial fodder system recorded higher electrical conductivity (0.20 dSm^-1), organic carbon (0.58%) and lime content (5.8%) than other cropping systems.