WITHDRAWN: Phenomenal transmutations in quality of soil attributable to stubble burning a case study of Punjab, India

Abstract

Abstract Burning paddy remains after harvesting by the farmers not only degrades the soil quality but also affects the physical and engineering properties of soil. The aim of this study is to quantify the phenomenal alterations in quality of soil attributable to stubble burnings by farmers in the district of Amritsar in Punjab state, India. A set of samples were collected from three locations randomly chosen within the study area and appropriate laboratory tests were carried out on eight soil property indicators. To quantify changes in the engineering properties of the soil, standard proctor test, direct shear test and unconfined compression tests were performed on the soil samples. In this study, some substantial changes were observed in liquid limit, plastic limit, optimum moisture content and specific gravity in the post stubble burning. Liquid limit, plastic limit and optimum moisture content of soil reduced in all the areas whereas, specific gravity decreased in some areas and remained virtually unchanged in one. The results also illustrate decline of direct shear test where cohesion of soil decreased by 5.68KN/m2 and angle of internal friction increased by 0.80° whereas, dry density was changed by + 0.95KN/m3. In unconfined compression test, compressive strength of soil was changed by + 2.5KN/m2 after stubble burning. From the observations it can be concluded that stubble burning not only puts adverse effect on the index properties of soil but also the engineering properties change considerably. We recommend geoscientists to think of the radical change in the index and engineering properties of soil related to the reduction of soil fertility.