Impact of different management systems on soil quality of farms in a semi-arid tropical setting

In recent times, non-conventional farming practices have emerged as a viable alternative to check soil degradation due to the indiscriminate application of agrochemicals. However, limited studies have been conducted on soils under different management systems in farmer-managed settings. The present study aims to understand whether the documented advantages of going non-conventional are reflected in such a setting, provided its susceptibility to variations in nutrient input availability and environmental factors. The study was conducted on two different farm management systems,i.e. conventional and non-conventional, in close geographical proximity in a semi-arid tropical region of India. The soils were analysed for their physical and chemical properties, major and micronutrients and trace metals during the post-monsoonal season. The studied soils are sandy loam in texture, neutral to moderately alkaline and non-saline. These are deficient in organic carbon and total N, with very low to medium available P and low to high available K. Although adequate availability of Fe, Mn and Cu is observed, Zn deficiency is present in 16% of the soils. The soils are predominantly composed of SiO(2,)followed by Al(2)O(3)and minor quantities of FeO, K2O and CaO, with generally low concentrations of trace metals (Cr, Zn, Ni, Cu, Pb, Co and Cd). Though no distinct differences are observed in major nutrient abundances and micronutrient availability, yet a significant difference is noticed in the trace metal concentration in soils from the two management systems. In light of similar parentage and absence of any significant difference in other soil properties, the relative trace metal enrichment observed in soils from the conventional farm might indicate an impact of differences in the management practices adopted.