Soil Characteristics and Maize Yield as Affected by Soil Management Practices in the Foothills of Shivaliks

Soil erosion is a serious menace and can adversely affect the soil characteristics and crop yield in the foothills of Shivaliks. The present study was conducted at ZRSKA, Ballowal-Saunkhri, Nawanshar, with the objective of studying the effect of soil management practices on some soil characteristics and yield of maize crop. The profile properties showed an increase in bulk density, clay content and cation exchange capacity by 4.2, 11.9 and 7.9%, respectively, in severely eroded A-horizon over the moderately eroded A-horizon. In contrast, there is a tendency for a decrease in water holding capacity, silt content, organic C content, available N and P by 6.2, 33.3, 5.2, 12.6 and 20.5%, respectively, in severely eroded A-horizon, as compared to moderately eroded A-horizon. The different soil management practices, viz., contour bunding and cultivation across the slope with recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers (T2), cultivation of leveled land with application of recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers (T3), and cultivation of leveled lands with application of recommended doses of inorganic fertilizers farm yard manure (T4) significantly improved the status of organic C, total N, available P, citric acid soluble P, CEC , Ca and Mg contents, respectively, over the control (T1)