Analysis of Physicochemical Properties of Soil Samples from Basmati and Non-basmati Rice Growing Areas in the Jammu Region, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to assess the present condition of soil in context to its physicochemical properties like, available Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Organic Carbon (OC), pH, Salinity, Electrical Conductivity (EC) and to assess the concentration of micronutrients and heavy metals in the rhizosphere of the soil samples collected from the fields of basmati and non-basmati rice varieties of RS Pura, Samba and Kathua regions of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The rhizosphere soil samples were collected from the fields of two rice varieties such as Basmati 370 (basmati variety) and SJR-5 (non-basmati rice variety) at flowering stage of the crop. The soil samples were processed and assessed based on their physicochemical properties. The majority of rice fields in the Jammu region had average overall results for soil pH level, OC, N, P, and K composition that were favourable for lowland rice cultivation; however, the ideal pH and NPK levels should be checked on a regular basis in accordance with the given recommendations to ensure the best rice harvests.