IJEP 45(8): 702-710 : Vol. 45 Issue. 8 (August 2025)
Banasthali Vidyapith, Department of Geography, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Tonk – 304 022, Rajasthan, India
Abstract
Soil quality is influenced by various soil properties, including pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, primary nutrients and micronutrients. The study was carried out in the Sirsa district of Haryana state, India, to assess the soil quality of cotton fields. For this purpose, 70 soil samples were randomly collected in November 2023 during the post-monsoon season from cotton-growing fields in Sirsa. Soil pH and electrical conductivity were measured using a microprocessor pH-mV-temp meter and a microcontroller temp.-COND-TDS-SAL meter, respectively. Orga-nic carbon was determined with the volumetric method. Available phosphorus and potassium were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer, while extractable DTPA zinc, iron, copper and manganese were measured with an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. Results indicate that cotton fields in Sirsa have slightly alkaline, non-saline soil. There was low organic carbon and nitrogen content across all blocks and low phosphorus levels in Baragudha and Ellenabad. The study also revealed low zinc in Baragudha, Dabwali and Ellenabad; iron in Baragudha, Nathusari Chopta, Dabwali and Ellenabad and manganese in all blocks except Rania.
Keywords
Soil quality, Cotton cultivated fields, Primary nutrients, Micronutrients
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