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An incubation experiment was conducted in laboratory conditions for 60 days to observe the impact of different Magnesium fertilizers on soil chemical properties, i.e. pH, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and DTPA extractable micronutrient cations. A complete factorial complete randomized block design (FCRD)with two replications and six levels was selected as the experimental layout. The levels included were (L0) Absolute control (L1) soil + Mg @ 10 kg ha-1, (L2) soil + Mg @ 20 kg ha-1, (L3) soil + 30 kg ha-1, (L4) soil + 40 kg ha-1, (L5) soil + 50 kg ha-1. Findings revealed that applying magnesium fertilizers to soil significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affects soil parameters. The impacts of magnesium fertilization on soil pH altered with sources and incubation period. The application of CaMg(CO3)2 @ 50 kg ha-1 recorded significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher soil pH (5.67) as compared to MgCO3 @ 50 kg ha-1 that increased the pH up to 5.57 due to the impact of carbonate ion whereas MgSO4.7H2O decreased the soil up to 4.80 because of dissolution of SO42- ions to the soil solution. Applying CaMg(CO3)2 significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced soil available N, P, K, Fe, Mn, and Cu content which is due to the decrease in acidity, which indirectly enhanced the nutrient availability. The positive effects persisted throughout the experimental duration, indicating the potential long-term benefits of magnesium fertilization in acid soil management. This study contributes to the current body of knowledge by providing novel insights into applying magnesium fertilizers as an effective strategy for addressing soil acidity and improving nutrient availability in acid soil.

Land uses are pivotal in global carbon cycles. The native forest lands possess a greater potential to sequester higher carbon, which can directly address soil quality and climate change problems. Unfortunately, the rapid conversion of forests to other land use over the past few decades has significantly declined the concentration of carbon in the soils. Therefore, in order to estimate the impact of land-use change (LUC) on soil carbon status, this present study was attempted under major ecosystems (Forest (FOR), cropland (CRP), tea plantation (TEA)) of Conoor. Results from findings revealed that total organic carbon (TOC) concentration and carbon pools were significantly (p<0.05) higher in FOR than in CRP and TEA. TOC (0-45 cm) recorded in FOR, CRP and TEA was 32.88, 11.87 and 18.84 g kg-1 and it decreased along the depth increment. Carbon stock (t ha-1) in FOR, CRP and TEA (0-45cm) was 68.10, 26.04, 42.42. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was higher in FOR (283.08 mg kg-1) followed by TEA (94.64 mg kg-1) and CRP (76.22 mg kg-1). The microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) followed; FOR > TEA > CRP. These results clearly indicate that the LUC has inflicted a greater impact on soil carbon status and its extent was quantified using the land degradation index (LDI). The LDI (0-45 cm) recorded in CRP (-38.65) and TEA (-61.75) signals the need for immediate implementation of carbon management strategies in the CRP and TEA ecosystem to keep the soils of Conoor alive and prevent land degradation.