Abstract
Soils of Indian Konkan region, part of ecologically sensitive Western Ghats have been subjected to anthropogenic activities of late. This has endangered the ecological security through conspicuous losses in topsoil quality. The rationale of the present study was to map the soil properties and create management zones for ensuring food and nutritional security. The study was conducted in South Goa district of the state of Goa located in Konkan region. A total of 258 geo-referenced soil samples were collected and analyzed for pH, EC, SOC, available N, P, K and DTPA extractable micronutrients viz., Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn. Soil pH was found to be in acidic range. A wide variability existed in SOC content ranging from 0.12–5.85%. EC was mostly neutral with mean value 0.08±0.37 dSm-1, while available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP) and available potassium (AK) varied in range from 56.4–621.6 kg ha-1, 0.5–49.7 kg ha-1 and 31.5–786.2 kg ha-1 with mean values 211.2±76.9, 8.4±8.2 and 202.3±137.6 kg ha-1, respectively. A wide range was exhibited by cationic DTPA extractable Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn with mean values, 0.22±0.30, 0.44±0.60, 7.78±5.98 and 7.86±5.86 mg kg-1, respectively. Soil pH exhibited significant positive correlation with EC, AP AK and Zn and negative correlation with Fe and Cu. SOC exhibited significantly correlated with AN, AP, AK, Zn and Fe. Geo-statistical analysis revealed J-Bessel as best fit semivariogram model for pH, AP and AK; Rational Quadratic for EC, SOC, Zn and Mn; Hole effect for AN; Stable for Cu and K-Bessel for Fe for their spatial mapping. Four principal components showed eigenvalues more than one and cumulative variability of 59.38%. Three distinct soil management zones showing significant variation in soil properties were identified and delineated for wider scale management of soils. Precision nutrient management based on spatial variation and their mapping would enable refined agricultural and environmental management practices in the region.
Highlights
Indian Konkan region is part of UNESCO recognized world heritage site ‘Western Ghats’, a global biodiversity hotspot, rich in biodiversity and species endemism [1, 2]
Soil pH was found in acidic range (4.92±0.61) with neutral electrical conductivity (0.08±0.37 dSm-1)
Spatial variation in pH has been attributed to dominance of sea water, river water, intrusion of sea water and intense tidal mixing in Zuari river flowing across South Goa [5]
Summary
Indian Konkan region is part of UNESCO recognized world heritage site ‘Western Ghats’, a global biodiversity hotspot, rich in biodiversity and species endemism [1, 2]. Anthropogenic activities like mining, industrialization and infrastructure boom have dominated the region during past few decades. These have involved ruthless cutting of trees and caused removal of topsoil layer for creating sink holes for indiscriminate dumping of created rejects of mining in the soil [6]. The present work was taken up in South Goa district, a key location within the Konkan region, for addressing the declining soil quality vis- a- vis aggravating environmental stress
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