International Journal of Plant & Soil Science

The current study investigated the variation in soil physicochemical properties and nutrient distribution across different depth (0 -60 cm) in agricultural soil (AS), Pesticide treated soil (PTS) and forest soil (FS) of Patanagarh, Balangir district, Odisha. Soil samples were collected from four depth intervals (0, 15, 30 and 60 cm) to analyse the vertical changes in soil characteristics and fertility status. The result showed that, the key physicochemical properties such as, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and total nitrogen increased gradually from surface layer to 30 cm depth layer followed by decline in 60 cm layer. Similarly, available nutrients including phosphorous, potassium and sulphur exhibits increasing trend from 0 to 30 cm layer, where their concentration were highest and decreased at deeper layer, especially in pesticide treated soil. Micronutrients such as zinc, manganese, copper, iron and boron also followed a similar distribution pattern. Coefficient of correlation revealed strong positive relationships among soil properties, macro and micronutrients, indicating their interdependence. Organic carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus showed high correlation with micronutrients, highlighting their crucial role in enhancing soil fertility. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) shown the nutrient availability were most favourable at around 30 cm soil depth riched in improves soil features.