IMPACT OF IN SITU RICE CROP RESIDUE BURNING ON AGRICULTURAL SOIL OF DISTRICT BATHINDA, PUNJAB, INDIA

The study was carried out to explore the effect of in situ rice crop residue burning on physicochemical and biological properties of soil. Physico-chemical properties under investigation included soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, total phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. Result analysis showed an increase in mean pH and electrical conductivity values of soil samples from 7.94 and 245-699 μS/cm (pre-burning period) to 8.46 and 403-800 μS/cm (post-burning period). Similarly, a significant increase in soil organic matter for the post-burning period (27100 mg/kg) was observed as compared to the pre-burning period (25200 mg/kg). However, the nitrogen and phosphorus content decreased significantly in post burning period. The analysis also revealed a significant decrease in enzyme activities of amylase, cellulase, invertase and dehydrogenase in post burning samples. The causes and effects of the changes in physicochemical and biological properties of agriculture soils due to in situ rice crop residue burning have been discussed.