1. The study analyzed soil samples from 12 villages along the Varuna River in Varanasi, India to examine macro nutrients and physical properties. 2. Soil pH was moderately alkaline and suitable for plant growth, while electrical conductivity and available sulphur were high/deficient in most samples respectively. 3. Organic carbon and available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium varied among samples but were generally in sufficient amounts to support plant growth. Floods from the Varuna River contribute to fertile soils in the low-lying flood plains.

1. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Volume 4, No 4, 2013
© Copyright by the authors - Licensee IPA- Under Creative Commons license 3.0
Research article ISSN 0976 – 4402
Study of macro nutrient and physical status of soil in a part of Varuna
River in Varanasi, India
Jyotsana Chaurasia1, Praveen Kumar Rai2, Pramod Kumar Mishra1
1- Department of Environmental Sciences, Post Graduate College, Ghazipur. U.P. India.
2- Department of Geography, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. U.P. India.
rai.vns82@gmail.com
doi: 10.6088/ijes.2014040400003
ABSTRACT
Soils play an important role to describe the economical growth of the study area. Soils of low
level flood plains near Varuna River, is very fertile in nature without adding any nutrient in it.
The Varuna is a minor tributary of the Ganges and extended between 25°27’ N to 82°18’E
and 25°45’ N to 82°3’ E flows east to southeast from some of 100 km from Phulpur tehsil of
Allahabad and joins the Ganges at 25°19’ N 83°2’ E and 25° 32’ N 83° 44’ E just
downstream of Varanasi. Organic carbon present in sufficient amount in soils of low level
flood plains. Macro nutrients viz., N, P, K and S govern the fertility of soils. Twelve
representative villages are selected in the study area. The total study area of lower Varuna
basin is around 23.05 sq km. and different number of soil samples (0-15cm) are collected and
analyzed for their physical status and chemical property and also analyzed for macro nutrient
like available nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), and Sulphur (S) status. Soil
samples were found low in available P while medium in organic carbon and available N and
K. While about 86% samples were found deficient in available sulphur.
Key words: Macro nutrients, Ganges, Varuna, Organic carbon, flood plain etc.
1. Introduction
Human have settled in river valleys with rich flood plains civilization flourished and are
flourishing till today nourished and nurtured by these plains which have due to flood. So
floods, in a way proved to be a boon. Flood play an important role to increase the soil fertility
of low level flood plains, increase the level of the soil nutrient into flood plains it becomes
more productive in nature than other plains. They support large population and contribute
immensely city of Uttar Pradesh, India, an attempt has been made to understand the spatial
distribution of hydrogeochemical constituents and also interprets chemical variation in
ground water under various natural and anthropogenic influences.
2. Materials and methods
The study area covers a part of Varuna River in Varanasi district which has the area of 23.05
sq km., twelve representative villages were chosen for the study namely, (A1) Pissour, (A2)
Daniyalpur, (A3) Bhavanipur, (A4) Chithariyapur, (A5) Sarahari, (A6) Koiran, (A7) Chamaw,
(A8) Tarna, (A9) Kotawa, (A10) Tadiya, (A11) Chittouni, (A12) Karout. Soil samples were
collected from each villages and composite soil samples (0-15cm) are prepared (Figure 2).
Soil samples were dried in air, sieve with 2mm sieve mesh. Analysis of pH through pH meter,
Electrical conductivity by EC meter, ORP by ORP meter and Bulk density and Particle
density by Pycnometer. Organic carbon and available Nitrogen (alkaline KMnO4),
Received on November 2013 Published on January 2014 468

2. Study of macro nutrient and physical status of soil in a part of Varuna River in Varanasi, India
Phosphorous by (0.5M NaHCO3), Sodium, Calcium and Potassium by Flame photometer and
Sulphur by Turbidity Method, Chloride and Total Acidity by Titrimetric method (Volumetric
Analysis).
Jyotsana Chaurasia et al
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 4 No.4, 2014
469
Figure 1: Geographical Location of the Study Area as Viewed on Satellite Data
Figure 2: Location of sample villages near varuna river, Varanasi city
3. Results and discussion
Present study shows that soil pH varies from 7.97 to 8.83 with an average mean of 8.4. All
soil samples are moderately alkaline (pH 7.90 to 8.83) that’s compatible to plant root growth.

3. Study of macro nutrient and physical status of soil in a part of Varuna River in Varanasi, India
Electrical Conductivity of the Soil varies from 0.923 to 1.225 ds/m. On the basis of limit
suggested by for judging salt problem of soils, one sample shows normal electrical
conductivity (EC < 1.0 ds/m). The normal electrical conductivity range ascribed to leaching
of salt to lower horizon while all remaining samples showed high electrical conductivity (EC
< 1.0 ds/m) enhancing which prevents leaching of salt to lower horizon. The oxidation
reduction potential of the soil sample is negative including more oxidation process in the soil.
ORP indicate suitability of soil for biological life. It indicates stability and stage of
competition of oxidation of organic matter. Bulk density and particle density varied from
1.31 to 1.45 (g/cm3) and 2.13 to 2.45 (g/cm3) respectively and average mean of bulk density
and particle density 1.36 and 2.29 (g/cm3) respectively. The organic carbon range from 0.403
to 0.766 % with an pronounced. It may be the reason low level of sulphur in soil.
Jyotsana Chaurasia et al
International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 4 No.4, 2014
470
Table 1: Physico-Chemical properties and nutrient status of soil under study
Table 2: Correlation between soil characteristics and available nutrients
Soil properties Available nutrients
N P K S
pH -0.163 -0626 -0.40 -0.190
Organic
carbon
0.65 0.356 0.383 ----

4. Study of macro nutrient and physical status of soil in a part of Varuna River in Varanasi, India
4. Conclusions
Physico-chemical characteristics of the soil of study area are largely influenced by the
Varuna River. pH of the soil is moderately alkaline. The electrical conductivity is slightly
high. Oxidation process is more indicating suitability for biological life. Organic carbon level
of soil was considerably good. Sufficient N, P and S are immobilized by series of reactions
specific to each element. The nutrient content and physical status of soil indicates extensive
supply of plant growth.
5. References
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International Journal of Environmental Sciences Volume 4 No.4, 2014
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