Long-term Management Impact on Soil Quality under Peach (Prunus persica L.) Orchard in Humid Subtropics of Eastern Himalayas Surchand-Singh K., Hazarika Samarendra1,*, Thakuria Dwipendra, Bordoloi Lahar J.1, Deka Bidyut C.1 College of Post Graduate Studies, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Umiam, 793103, Meghalaya 1ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, 793103, Meghalaya *Corresponding author (Email: samarendra.ches@gmail.com)
Online published on 22 May, 2019. Abstract This study assessed the impact of long-term (20 years) management practices on soil quality under peach (Prunus persica L.) orchard by comparing soil properties of the orchard relative to the adjacent forest soil (AFS). The orchard was maintained at the Experimental Horticulture Farm, ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill (NEH) Region, Umiam, Meghalaya that falls under humid subtropics of Eastern Himalayas. The orchard soil properties have undergone significant alterations relative to that of AFS. The pH, maximum water holding capacity (MWHC), organic carbon (OC) and hot water extractable carbohydrate (HWEC) reduced from 0.24 to 0.26, 4.3 to 4.6%, 5.9 to 7.1% and ∼16 to ∼17%, respectively. Long-term fertilizer applications resulted in significant build-up of available N, P, K and S in the orchard soil relative to AFS. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and enzyme activities in orchard soils reduced from 2.3 to 3.9% and 10 to 35%, respectively relative to AFS soils and the differences were significant. The pH, MWHC, available N, OC, HWEC, and enzyme activities in drip circle soil reduced significantly as compared to inter-row space soil. The activity of soil enzymes and MBC showed significant positive correlation with OC, HWEC and pH. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct variability in soil properties among AFS, drip circle and inter-row space soils, and the three clusters in the PCA plot differed significantly from each other (analysis of similarity, Global R = 0.92 at P< 0.01). These findings call for modification in existing management practices for sustainability of the production system. Top Keywords Hot water extractable carbon, microbial biomass carbon, orchard soil quality, soil enzymes, spatial variability. Top |