Cropping System Impact on Soil Chemical Properties of Northern Punjab, India

The study examined effect of cropping systems (rice-wheat, maize-wheat, sugarcane, mango, litchi, eucalyptus, poplar, and barren land) on selected soil chemical properties in the northern Punjab. Soil samples were collected from different cropping systems at 0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 cm depths and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC), available potassium, available phosphorus, and DTPA extractable micronutrients (zinc, iron, manganese, and copper). The study showed that soil chemical properties were significantly influenced due to cropping systems. Higher values of pH, EC, available phosphorus, and potassium were observed in rice-wheat and maize-wheat systems, while higher SOC and DTPA extractable micronutrients were found in poplar and eucalyptus systems. All soil properties showed higher values at the surface layer (0-15 cm) and decreased with depth, except for pH, which increased with depth. The study highlights the importance of cropping system choice in maintaining soil health and fertility.