Post Flood Changes in Soil Quality of AEU 13 in Palakkad District of Kerala.

Soil quality of the parts of Palakkad district coming under Agro Ecological Unit (AEU) 13 located within Agro Ecological Zone 5 was assessed after the flood, 2018. Hundred and one soil samples were collected from the flood/landslide affected locations after detailed survey of the study area. A total of 22 soil parameters (physical, chemical and biological parameters) were analyzed for each sample. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the test results provided a minimum data set (MDS) using which the soil quality index (SQI) was elucidated for different panchayats belonging to AEU 13 in the study area. The test results were compared with the pre flood data for a better understanding of the changes occurred after flood. There was a significant increase of organic C, available P and S and a decrease of available Ca, Mg, B, soil pH and EC after flood. Overall relative soil quality index (RSQI) after the floods was poor in the area. So this study expounds the complete information regarding soil quality of the preferred area after flood which reiterates the need for adopting appropriate soil health management strategies to boost up the agricultural production of the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]