COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LATERITE SOIL.

Abstract

The study examined certain physico-chemical characteristics of laterite soil of Pathanamthitta District, Kerala during three different seasons. Ten composite soil samples were collected from 10 different sites of Catholicate College Campus, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India. The physio-chemical characteristic features of the soil viz. pH, temperature, total soluble salt, organic carbon, phosphorous and potassium were analyzed by standard methods. The result showed that soil temperature varied such as 320c to 370c . pH of the soil varied from 6.5 to 7.5 and 4.6 to 7.0 in different soil samples. Total soluble salt remains constant in all the sites. Average value of organic carbon varies from 1.87 to 2.8 %. However average value of phosphorous and potassium varies from 31.05 to 34 Kg/Ha and 246 to 400 Kg/Ha respectively. The soil fertility characteristics have the ecological role on diversity and distribution of flora in the ecosystem