Changes of soil physicochemical and enzymatic parameters at different days after sowing of barley and wheat in the Central Himalayan region, India

Understanding the changes of soil physicochemical and enzymatic parameters at different days after sowing (DAS) of crops is essential to maintain the soil nutrient availability and quality. This study was conducted at ICAR-NBPGR, Bhowali, Nainital, India, aimed to understand the changes in soil physicochemical and enzymatic parameters at different days after sowing (DAS) of wheat and barley crops. Soil samples were collected from the experimental plots (5 m × 5 m) of barley and wheat at different DAS and depths. The soil physicochemical and enzymatic parameters were determined at different DAS of barley and wheat. The results clearly indicated that the physicochemical attributes such as soil moisture content (SMC), acidity and basicity of soil (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), available phosphorus (AP), sulphur content (S), carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio), ammonium (NH 4 + -N) and nitrate (NO 3 − -N) were significantly different ( p < 0.05) at 60 and 120 DAS while extractable sodium (Na), extractable potassium (K), and available phosphorus (AP) at 170 DAS for both the crops. Also, among the enzymatic attributes aryl sulphatase (AS), dehydrogenase (DHA), β-glucosidase (BGlu) and acid phosphatase (APase), urease (URE) were significantly different at 60, 120 and 170 DAS for both the crops. The PCA results showed that the DAS have a close relationship with AP, S, NH 4 + -N, NO 3 − -N, and soil enzyme URE. These findings will further help to strategize soil management practices involved in its sustainability without compromising soil health and food production.