Effect of Rice Crop Residue Burning on Soil Physico-Chemical attributes: A study on Indian Soil

Burning residues releases harmful pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution. This pollution not only affects human health but also exacerbates climate change by increasing greenhouse gas emissions like CO₂ and methane. Additionally, burning residues leads to the loss of soil organic carbon and nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are essential for soil fertility and crop growth. With this in consideration, research aimed to assess the influence of rice crop residue burning in situ on soil physico-chemical attributes at CCSHAU, Hisar. Soil samples (0-15cm depth) were collected from the pre burning and burnt (0, 7, 14 and 21 days after burning) fields nearby villages of Tohana, Fatehabad (Haryana). Physico-chemical properties included soil bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content were investigated for pre and post burning soil samples. The data were analyzed statistically for ANOVA by using OPSTAT programme with CD values at 5% level of significance. Result analysis showed an increase in mean (0-21 days) pH, electrical conductivity and bulk density values of post-burning soil samples as compared to pre-burning (0 days) soil samples. A decrease in soil nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter content was observed following stubble burning. But in contrast to these results, potassium content was found increased in post burning soil samples compared to pre burning.