SOIL PARAMETERS OF BARREN AND CULTIVATED LANDS NEAR PERIYAKULAM, TAMIL NADU

摘要

Effect of cultivation on some soil properties at T.Kallipatti, Periyakulam Taluk, Tamil Nadu was studied to know the effect of long-term cultivation on chemical properties of soil and compared with barren lands. Barren land showed optimum pH (6.8), soil moisture content (98.8 %) and ammonium-nitrogen (79.2 mg/100 g of soil), which were suitable for better yield of crops. The pH of cultivated soil (8.5) is alkaline or sodic in nature. Since the salinity for both the soil lies in the range of 0-2 inmhos/cm, it has no effect on crops. The ammonium-nitrogen value of barren land is 79.2 mg/100 g soil which is higher than that of cultivated land (65.8 mg/100 g soil). Low levels of calcium are accounted for both barren and cultivated lands. Barren lands can be used for cultivation, which can overcome the financial crisis of local people.