Soil analysis reveals declining nutrient levels impacting crop productivity and sustainability.
The researchers analyzed soil properties in sugarcane-wheat fields to understand nutrient distribution. They found that soil pH ranged from 7.2 to 8.9, with no salinity issues. Organic carbon decreased with depth, positively affecting nitrogen and other nutrients. Available nitrogen ranged from 55.62 to 138.05 kg/ha, decreasing with depth. Micronutrient levels varied, with zinc sometimes deficient. Bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes counts varied, with microbial biomass carbon and dehydrogenase activity also measured. Overall, soil properties like organic carbon influenced nutrient availability and microbial activity in the sugarcane-wheat cropping system.