Status of Soil Quality on Prevalent Cropping Systems in Arid Region of Northwestern Himalaya

Background: Wide variations in the soil health indicators were observed among different cropping systems. The soil texture under various sites selected in the present study varied from sandy loam. However, sandy loam was observed as the most dominant texture both under cereal and vegetables based on cropping systems. Soil reaction across various sites under present study was neutral to slightly alkaline in arid regions. Methods: A total of 90 surface (0-15 cm) and subsurface (15-30 cm) soil samples collected randomly from vegetable and cereal-based cropping systems. After collecting soil samples, these were air dried and analyzed for physical, chemical and biological properties. The study determined the level of availability of nutrients and knew the fertility status of studied areas. Result: The results show that higher salt accumulation (EC) was observed under vegetable-based cropping systems as compared to those of cereal-based. Organic carbon was medium to high and the available N, P and K contents were in the low to medium category. Organic carbon and available N-P and K contents were higher under the vegetable-based cropping systems than cereal-based. DTPA Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were observed efficiently. Microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, potentially mineralizable nitrogen and soil respiration were higher in vegetable-based cropping systems. Higher soil quality index was observed under the vegetable-based cropping system as compared to the cereal based cropping system.