Assessment of Seasonal Variability in Soil Nutrients and Its Impact on Soil Quality under Different Land Use Systems of Lower Shiwalik Foothills of Himalaya, India

The present study was conducted to investigate the seasonal effects of five land use systems (LUSs), i.e., wheat–rice (Triticum aestivum—Oryza sativa) system, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), orange (Citrus sinensis) orchard, safeda (Eucalyptus globules) forest, and grassland, on soil quality nutrient status in lower Satluj basin Shiwalik foothills Himalaya, India. Samples were analyzed for assessment physico-chemical properties at four depths, viz., 0–15, 15–30, 30–45, 45–60 cm. A total 120 samples collected both seasons. Soil texture found be sandy loam slightly alkaline nature. relative trend organic carbon (SOC), macro- micro-nutrient content LUSs forest > orchard grassland sugarcane, pre- post-monsoon SOC highly correlated with macronutrients micronutrients, whereas negatively pH (r = ?0.818). surface layer (0–15 cm) had a significantly higher SOC, micro-nutrients compared sub-surface layers, due presence more layer. Tukey’s multiple comparison test applied assess significant difference (p < 0.05) among depths Principle component analysis (PCA) identified that electrical conductivity (EC) most contributing indicators different systems, season better pre-monsoon season. These helped health fertility, monitor degraded agroecosystems future conservation.