Comparative Assessment of Soil Chemical Characteristics in Two Contrasting Vegetable Cultivation Systems of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Vegetable cultivating systems in Sri Lanka are characterized by intensive and highly commercialized with very high agricultural inputs. Diagnosing soil fertility levels is essential to supply plant nutrients in a complete and balanced manner minimizing environmental pollution. The objective of this study was to assess soil chemical properties in two intensive vegetable cultivating systems in central highlands of Sri Lanka. Study was conducted in two contrasting vegetable cultivating systems: vegetable-potato-vegetable in Nuwara Eliya (NE) and vegetable-paddy-vegetable in Marassana (M). Soil samples were analyzed for pH, pH-buffer capacity (pHBC), electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), available nutrients such as Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Sulphur (S), Copper (Cu) and Zink (Zn) and optimum values were compared. Among measured properties pHBC, EC, TC%, TN%, from nutrients P, K, Mg, S, and Zn were significantly high (P