Journal of Environmental Biology

Soil quality index as affected by temporal long term tea cultivation in Jorhat District of Assam

N. Baruah¹, B.K. Medhi², Sanjay-Swami³, R.K. Thakuria⁴ and B. Borkotoki⁵ 

¹Department of Soil Science, BNCA, Assam Agricultural University, Biwanath Chariali-784 176, India

²Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785 013, India?????????????????????????????

³School of Natural Resource Management,College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences, Central Agricultural University, Umiam (Barapani)?793 103, India???????????????????????????????

⁴Department of Agronomy, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785 013, India???????????????????????????????

⁵Department of Soil Science, AICRPDA, BNCA, Assam Agricultural University, Biswanath Chariali-784 176, India

*Corresponding Author Email : nandita.baruah@aau.ac.in ??????

Paper received: 13.06.2020 ?????? ???????????????????????????????????????Revised received: 03.10.2020 ???????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????Accepted: 30.10.2020

Abstract

Aim: The investigation was undertaken to identify the Minimum Data Set (MDS) for Soil Quality Index (SQI) assessment in continuouslong-term tea cultivation systems.

Methodology: In the study under very deep, fine loamy, well-drained soil, five age groups of tea plantations viz. less than 15 years, 15-30 years, 30-45 years, 45-60 years and more than 60 years were selected and identified minimum data set and soil quality index.

Results: In very deep, fine loamy, well-drained soil under continuous tea cultivation, SQI, 14.74 was obtained for less than 15 years, 14.06 for 15-30 years, 11.12 for 30-45 years, 12.94 for 45-60 years and 11.37 for more than 60 years of plantation, respectively.      

Interpretation: The most sensitive soil quality indicators identified in very deep, fine loamy, well-drained soil were pH for less than 15 years, total nitrogen for 15-30 years, available nitrogen for 30-45 years, organic carbon for 45-60 years and exchangeable aluminium for more than 60 years of continuous tea cultivation.          

Key words: Minimum data set, Organic carbon, Soil quality index, Tea plantation

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