Soil aggregates and other properties as influenced by different long term land uses under table landscape topography of Chambal region, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

A total of 48 surface (0–15 cm) and sub-surface (15–30 cm) samples were collected representing six different land use systems under table landscape of Chambal region. Soil properties were evaluated under six different land uses in Chambal region. Soils under perennial vegetation recorded highest organic carbon content (0.72–0.85%), which was 2.0 to 2.4 times higher than the soils under cultivated rainfed cropped fields (0.36%). The soils under perennial vegetations and cultivated areas had higher clay content (37.80–42.0%) whereas, ravine lands recorded the lowest clay content (20.2–22.85%). The microaggregate (0.0020.2mm) distribution was higher under cultivated (irrigated cropping) land and the lowest was recorded in grassland. However, Grass land recorded greater proportion of larger aggregate (>5mm) in both surface and sub-surface soils compared to other land uses and lower per cent was recorded under irrigated cropping. The soils under continuous cultivation recorded higher micro-aggregate proportion than other land uses. It is evident from the study that soils under grasslands and perennial vegetation registered higher macroaggregate. The highest mean weight diameter (MWD) was recorded under grass land followed by irrigated and rainfed crops under both the soil depths. The cultivated fields recorded higher proportion of microaggregates, due to structural breakdown under these land use system. Therefore, proper soil conservation measures along with additions of organic manures help in reducing soil erosion and improvement of soil properties.