MSc.

An investigation entitled ‘Evaluation of soil and water quality in Potta watershed of Pazhayannur Block in Thrissur district” was undertaken in the department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University during the Year 2016-17. An intial survey was carried out in the different reaches of the watershed to identify the water resources, crops. Vegetation, manures, fertilizers and pesticides used. Based on the data generated, thirty Soil samples were samples were collected from each reach. Soil samples were collected only during the pre-monsoon season (April to May, 2016) and post-monsoon November to December, 2016) season. The soil samples were characterized for texture, bulk density, particle density, water holding capacity (WHC), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), available nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) and heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cd) and heavy metals (Pb,Ni,Cr and Cd). Water samples were analyzed for chemical properties like pH, EC, TSS, cations, (Na+ , Ca2+ , K+, Mg2+) anions (CI-1, SO42-, CO32-, HCO3- and NO3- )heavy metals Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni).
The texture of soils in all the three reaches were found to be sandy loam. Soils from all the reaches were acidic and the pH varied from 3.47 to 6.80 with very low electrical conductivity(0.021 to 0.170 dS m-1). Cation exchange capacity of the soil samples varied between 4.15 to 8.97 c mol (p+) Kg-1. in the soil samples of upper reach was deficient in soil OC. Deficiency of available N in all reaches and that of P in upper and lower reaches was observed. The highest deficiency of K was noticed in the soil samples of upper reach. All the reaches were deficient in secondary nutrients (Ca and Mg). The available heavy metals in the soil was found to be below toxic level and their contents decreased in the order of Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd. Micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) were found to be sufficient and their contents followed the order Mn > Fe>Cu > Zn
Significant differences were observed between upper and middle reached in the content of soil available N, P and K. The association of soil properties showed that the soil organic carbon (SOC) was significantly and positively correlated with soil water holding capacity and available nitrogen in all the reaches, whereas it was negatively correlated with the bulk density of soil.
During both pre and post – monsoon periods, PH of the water samples ranged between acidic to neutral values (5.62 to 7.47). electrical conductivity of water samples ranged from 0.14 to 0.54 dS m-1 . The content of cations, viz.,Ca and Mg were high in post-monsoon season while Na and K were high in pre-monsoon season.
Analysis of anionic composition of water samples showed that the content of anions viz., bicarbonates, chlorides and nitrates were higher in post monsoon compared to pre-monsoon. The heavy metals like lead, chromium and cadmium were found to be below detectable level in all the water samples collected during both pre and post –monsoon seasons. Water samples registered significant differences in the contents of Ca, Mg, HCO3- between pre and post –monsoon seasons .
The quality of water from all the reaches can be rated as good and suitable for irrigation. Further studies can be focused on the assessment of the impact of different soil conservation measures on the soil health. Soil test based fertilizer recommendations including various organic resources have to be adopted by the farmers.