Vol. 12, Special Issue 10 (2023)

Author(s):
Sreshma CK and Subbarayappa CT

Abstract:
To study the impact of different land use system management practices on soil chemical and biological properties in the rural regions of the northern transect of Bangalore, a study was conducted during the year 2021 to 2023. Three land use systems such as horticulture, organic farming, and sericulture land use systems were selected from the northern transect of Bangalore. From each land use system, twenty surface samples were collected at a depth of 0-15 cm, and analyzed for various chemical and biological properties. The pH levels recorded from the three land use systems do not show any significant difference. However, a significantly higher level of electrical conductivity was recorded from the horticulture (0.44 dSm^-1) land use system. This might be due to the application of inorganic fertilizers in the horticulture land use system. Furthermore, a higher level of available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were recorded from horticulture land use systems (N- 312.35 kg ha^-1, P- 31.13 kg ha^-1, K- 287.22 kg ha^-1,) in comparison to sericulture (N- 286.33 kg ha^-1, P- 28.96 kg ha^-1, K- 242.14 kg ha^-1) and organic farming (N- 252.74 kg ha^-1, P- 25.38 kg ha^-1, K- 252.62 kg ha^-1,) land use system. Similar trends were observed for micronutrient levels across the three land use systems. A significant difference was recorded in organic carbon content across different land use systems. In terms of biological properties, dehydrogenase activity, urease activity, carbon-nitrogen biomass, and nitrogen fixers were found to be most abundant in organic farming land-use systems. This study underscores the substantial influence of land use systems and their management practices on both the chemical and biological properties of soil in the rural regions of the northern transect of Bangalore. The findings not only contribute to a better understanding of soil health but also emphasize the necessity of tailored land use management practices to ensure sustainable soil health and productivity in these areas.