Vol. 11, Special Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
Mir Rizwan Qazi, Farooq Ahmad Lone, Shoukat Ara, Imran Khan, Nayar Afaq Kirmani and Syed Zameer Hussain

Abstract:
The present study was carried out to evaluate the physicochemical properties of soil along the altitudinal gradients of Sindh forest range in the Ganderbal District, J & K, India. 81 soil samples were drawn from three different altitudes: The lower A1 (1800-2200 m amsl), middle A2 (2200-2600 m amsl), and upper A3 (>3000 m amsl) from 0-30 cm depth. In terms of pH, the soil was slightly acidic in the A2 (5.97) and moderately acidic in both A1 (6.43) and A3 (6.22). Electrical conductivity was recorded highest in A1 (0.35 dSm-1) followed by A3 (0.31 dSm-1) and A2 (0.27 dSm-1). Bulk density showed a significant positive correlation with clay (r = 0.42, P<0.01). The highest recorded bulk density was recorded in A1 (1.41 g/cm-3) followed by A3 (1.32 g/cm-3) and A2 (1.27 g/cm-3). The maximum value for soil moisture was recorded in A2 (27.64%) followed by A3 (25.28%) and A1 (21.53%). The texture class of soil was loam for A1, silt loam for A2, and silt loam for A3. The organic carbon was highest in A2 (1.68%) followed by A3 (1.41%) and the minimum for the A1 (1.22%). Sand showed significant negative correlation with altitude (r = 0.455, P<0.01) and silt (r = 0.713, P<0.05). Silt showed a significant positive correlation with organic carbon (r = 0.497, P<0.05) and a strong negative and significant correlation with clay (r =-0.767, P<0.05). Organic carbon showed a negative and significant correlation with pH (r =-0.632) and EC (r =-0.630) However, organic carbon showed a positive significant correlation with both soil moisture (r =0.533, P<0.05). Soil moisture exhibited a significant negative correlation with pH (r = 0.575, P<0.05). The present study concludes that soil physicochemical properties in a coniferous forest of Sindh forest range in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir show variation with altitude.