COMPARISON OF SOIL TEXTURE OF PADDY AND FINGER MILLET CULTIVATED FIELDS

Abstract

One of the key physical characteristics of soil that determines its quality and health is its texture. It establishes the soil's ability to hold air, water, and nutrients. This study presents the results of soil texture analysis which have been conducted on samples collected from agricultural fields under paddy and finger millet cultivation. The physical properties of soil have been determined using sieve and hydrometer analyses. The collected samples are analyzed to estimate the proportion of gravel, sand, silt, and clay. The results indicate textural differences between the two cropping systems. Particle size distribution curves and hydrometer readings have been interpreted to classify the soil texture, which is critical in assessing the water retention and nutrient dynamics of the cultivated fields. The sieve analysis revealed a dominant presence of sand in both locations. The paddy field soil had 65.5% sand, 6.8% gravel, and 28% fines (silt and clay combined), while the finger millet field soil showed a higher gravel content (15%) and a slightly lower sand percentage (63.2%). Hydrometer analysis further partitioned the fines into silt and clay. The paddy soil consisted of 24.4% silt and 3.3% clay, while the finger millet soil had 19.9% silt and only 1.9% clay. Soil texture analysis is crucial for selecting the right crop, managing inputs, and ensuring Anjana Sinha and A S Ravikumar https://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJCIET 120 editor@iaeme.com sustainable productivity in fields cultivated with paddy and finger millet. It empowers farmers to maximize yield, conserve resources and reduce risks.