QUANTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SOIL PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES INFLUENCE BY WHEAT (Triticum aestivum) RESIDUE BURNING IN INDIA

Crop residue burning practice is used by farmers in villages. This practice may be due to lack of knowledge and awareness of their bad impact on soil quality. The effect of wheat residue burning on the quality of black soil was studied. Soil samples were collected before and after burning of crop residues at 0-10 cm depth from Ashrawad khurd village of Indore (MP) India. The physical and chemical parameters of soil were considered for studies. The physical parameters include soil texture, soil particle density, bulk density, pore space, specific gravity, moisture content, water holding capacity and temperature. However chemical parameters include chloride, exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, organic matter, available nitrogen, available Sulfur, available phosphorus, available potassium, available zinc, available iron, available manganese and available copper.

Changes were observed in almost all the physical and chemical parameters except soil particle density, soil texture, available nitrogen and available sulfur. However changes in soil available potassium and soil temperature were found significant at 5% and 10% level of significance. Other parameters such as chloride, exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, organic carbon, available phosphorus and available potassium decreased, except available iron, available zinc, available manganese and available copper after burning of wheat residues.

The aim of this research paper is quantification and characterization of black soil (physical and chemical parameters) influenced by burning of wheat (Triticum aestivum) residue.