Physico-chemical Properties and Heavy Metal Contents of Soils and Kharif Crops of Punjab, India

Punjab is one of the most fertile regions of India and agriculture is the main occupation of people here. Intensive agriculture is done with the help of agrochemicals throughout the year in Punjab. Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolour L.) are two important crops of Kharif season in Punjab. Since the soil is under severe risk of heavy metal contamination due to anthropogenic activities in intensively cultivated areas, a study was conducted to analyze the physico-chemical parameters of agricultural soils in different villages situated around rivers of Punjab (Sutlej and Beas). The studied soils were under paddy, sugarcane and fodder plant cultivation. The soil samples were found to be slightly acidic, with sandy texture and low amount of soil organic matter. Soil nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) ranged from 0.10 - 0.35 g/kg, 0.033 – 0.084 g/kg and 1.118 – 1.436g/kg respectively. The contents of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Cd, Co and Pb) analyzed in soil samples were below the maximum permissible limits, but Cr, Cd and Pb contents were above maximum permissible limits in sugarcane and sorghumm. Soil to plant metal bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was found to be ∼1 for Cu in sugarcane and above 1 for Pb in sorghum.