Characterization of Soil Quality in Highway-Influenced Areas of Uttarakhand

Abstract

Soil is a composite of biological and physical structures that give vital support to plants. The rocks' weathering process forms it. Soil plays a major role in providing facilities to our society, most importantly, food production. Soil comprises minerals, organic matter, water, and air that provide micronutrients for the finest growth and reproduction of animals and plants. Soil quality and health are defined as the volume of soil that functions as a vigorous living system within land-use borders. Highways navigate many agricultural areas, and they often have destructive effects on agricultural soils, including the modified stability of SOM. Here, we analyse the physicochemical properties of the soil of Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand, India. Few samples were collected along the road in the Udham Singh Nagar district, based on distance from the highway, and analysed for their physicochemical properties. The current study will assist the farmers in understanding soil quality and what fertilisers or manures need to be added to their soil for worthwhile productivity.