Physico-chemical Characteristics of Soil in Bamboo Dominated Homegardens Across Different Physiographic Conditions in Assam

The various land use systems comprising trees, crops, and pastures are essential in improving soil fertility. Land use and soil management practices can significantly influence soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics and C flux from the soil. Bamboo plays a vital role in maintaining and improving the nutritional condition of the soil. In the traditional agroforestry system, bamboos are grown on land of poor quality or degraded parts of the households. The present study was conducted to estimate the physico-chemical properties and to understand the impact of bamboo on the soil in the homegardens with bamboo stands under different physiographic conditions of the Hailakandi district of Assam. The soil bulk density up to 30 cm soil depth was 1.04 to 1.16 g/cm3 in riverside villages, 1.00 to 1.19 g/cm3 in flood-affected villages, and 1.01 to 1.13 g/cm3 in flood-unaffected villages. The water holding capacity ranged from 40.72 to 47.52% in riverside villages, 47.73 to 53.88% in flood-affected villages, and 41.68 to 49.26% in flood-unaffected villages. Soil pH ranged from 5.20 to 5.74 in riverside villages, 5.08 to 5.50 in flood-affected villages, and 4.89 to 5.73 in flood-unaffected villages. The soil texture was dominated by silt loam in riverside villages and flood-unaffected villages, but in the flood-affected villages, it was silty clay loam. Soil organic carbon stock up to 30 cm soil depth ranged from 24.58 to 29.39 Mg/ha in riverside villages, 34.38 to 38.14 Mg/ha in flood-affected villages, and 27.67 to 42.24 Mg/ha in flood-unaffected villages. The soil in the riverside villages was of better quality because of low bulk density, pH, and sand % with high WHC, clay and silt %, SOC %, and high SOC stock. The existing bamboo management systems have many shortcomings and needs to be scientifically managed.