SOIL PROPERTIES, GROUNDWATER QUALITY AND LAND USE IN COASTAL SAND ECOSYSTEM OF ANDHRA PRADESH.

A total of 150 soil samples were collected from 0-30 cm depth and 58 groundwater samples from Bapatla and Karla Palem mandals of Gunutr district, Andhra Pradesh for assessment of properties of soil and quality of groundwater. The textura classes of soils were sandy, loamy sand and sandy loam. Correlation coefficients of soil properties were worked out between ionic composition and physico-chemical properties of soil. The ionic composition of soil and groundwater were predominant with Na⁺, Cl^-, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and HCO₃ ions, around 44 per cent of soils the study area is under moderate to severe salinity. The soils were grouped based on soil reaction (pH), electrical conductivity (ECe) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), soils under different cropping systems were analysed for salinity and alkalinity. As per the groundwater quality for irrigation 34.48% samples were good, 25.86% samples were marginally saline, 8.62% samples were high SAR saline, 22.41% samples alkali, 8.62% were high SAR alkali. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]