Abstract: Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is the most economically important plant and its cultivation is a very popular agricultural practice in central Kerala, especially in Ernakulum, Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts. During pineapple cultivation, various agrochemicals are used in the different stages of growth for the better development. These agrochemicals, even at low concentration, will change the soil chemistry thereby affect the soil biota. The sustainable agriculture involves both optimizing agricultural resources and maintaining the soil quality. Modern agricultural practices and changes in land use practices directly or indirectly affect the soil health. Soil quality can be measured by assessing the physical, chemical and biological indicators. So far no serious studies have been undertaken to investigate the impact of pineapple cultivation on soil quality in this part of Kerala. Soil analyses were performed with samples collected from different taluks (Aluva, Kunnathunad, Kothamangalam and Muvattupuzha) of Ernakulam district. To assess the impact of pineapple cultivation on soil quality, chemical indicators such as pH, EC, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, lead, nickel and cadmium were analysed. Among the heavy metals, concentration of available cadmium was found to be significantly high in all cultivated areas with reference to control. Concentration of cadmium was found to be in the range of 0.17±0.11 and 0.21±0.36 mg/kg. Available manganese and nitrogen were found to be marginally significant. The presence of significant amount of heavy metal indicates pollution due to agrochemicals. The results point towards an immediate urge for the detailed study of the possible threats of ongoing pineapple cultivation practices in Kerala
Keywords: Pineapple mono-cropping, agrochemicals, soil quality, heavy metals.
Title: Assessing Soil quality in Pineapple (Ananas comosus) cultivated areas of Ernakulam district
Author: Samitha K A, Rajathy Sivalingam, Sandeep S
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
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