Studies on Soil and Microbial Properties in Different Soil Samples of Namakkal District, Tamilnadu

Physico-chemical and microbial parameters of soil samples around Namakkal district, Tamilnadu, India were examined to determine the fertility status of the soil. Five representative villages were chosen and different number of surface soil samples (0-15 cm) collected and analysed for microbial and physico-chemical properties. The extent of the diversity of microorganisms in soil is seen to be critical to the maintenance of soil health and quality, as a wide range of microorganisms is involved in important soil functions. Results of the physico-chemical analysis showed that the highest bacterial and fungal population was observed in sample-5, followed by 1, 4, 3 and 2. The maximum bacterial population was observed at sample-1 followed by 5, 4, 3 and 1. However, microbial enumeration indicated that bacteria were most numerous followed by actinomycetes and fungi in the soil samples. The range of soil pH and organic carbon percent was 7.62 to 8.43 and 0.07 to 0.3% respectively. The EC values varied from 0.13 to 0.54 dS/m. In the Namakkal garden land, the available nitrogen, phosphorus and potash content ranged between 67.17 to 184 kg/ha, 2.56 and 47.50 kg/ha and 225 to 1012 kg/ha respectively.