Seasonal Impact on Physical-Chemical Properties of Soil in North and South Gujarat

Abstract

Climate change affects agriculture, food security and farmers. With this perspective, it is necessary to carry out analysis according to the geography of Gujarat, which makes the state more vulnerable to the changes in precipitation and temperature pattern. The present study precisely aims to assess the impact of these patterns on agriculturalsoilfor which the samples were collected from semi-arid region, North Gujarat and high rainfall zone viz. South Gujarat. Soil physico-chemical properties were analyzed using standard methods and the derived data was subjected to statistical analysis using IBM SPSS Ver.20. The soil porosity, water holding capacity and moisture content of North Gujarat exhibited an increasing trend from pre- to post-monsoon whereas decreasing trend was marked during the summer.The major ion chemistry reveals that chloride is the most dominant anion for all the seasons and both the zones. The variation of 54.21% and 52.16% with respect to sand and moisture content of South Gujarat soil of summer can be predicted from that of the post-monsoon. With the change in precipitation and temperature regimes, physical properties and trace element concentration varies significantly. In order to cope up in this avenue, conventional agronomic practices should be revised in accordance to the region.