Land Use-Induced Changes in Soil Chemistry: A Comparison of Five Plantation Systems in Idukki, Kerala
Abstract
The conversion of forests to plantation agriculture in regions such as Idukki profoundly impacted soil chemical characteristics; however, comparative assessments of different plantation systems are limited. This study was conducted in the Idukki district of Kerala to define the unique soil chemical properties of five dominant plantation systems: tea, coffee, coconut, cardamom, and rubber. We have analyzed 14 key soil chemical properties from 25 sites using univariate (ANOVA) and multivariate (PCA and LDA) statistical methods. The results revealed significant differences (p< 0.05) in soil organic carbon (OC), calcium (Ca), and copper (Cu). Coffee systems maintained significantly higher OC than rubber systems, tea plantations showed significant Cu accumulation, and coconut systems had the highest Ca levels. Although many individual properties were not significantly different, multivariate analysis demonstrated that the combined soil properties created a distinguishable set of characteristics for each land use, with linear discriminant analysis classifying the systems with 92% accuracy. The findings confirmed that land use is one of the primary drivers of soil chemical characteristics, with each plantation type creating predictable and quantifiable trade-offs.This study provides a critical scientific basis for developing targeted land management strategies that can balance agricultural productivity and soil conservation in this ecologically important region.
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