CHARACTERIZATION OF SOIL QUALITY PARAMETERS OFBALAGHAT AND MALAJKHAND BLOCKS IN BALAGHAT DISTRICTOF MADHYA PRADESH, INDIANitu Patle, Ramawatar Meena, Kapil Acharya, R.N. Meena, S.K. Verma Kamlesh Meena, Brajeshbisen, Nikita Singh and S.K. VermaAbstract The investigation was carried out at the laboratory of Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Banaras Hindu University,Barkachha; Mirzapur, during the year 2021-2022. This studyâs aim was to examine the different soil qualityparameters and Nutrient index of the soil in the mining areas and normally cultivated areas in the Balaghatand Malajkhand blocks in the Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh. With the help of GPS camera, 75 soilsamples were taken from farmer fields in 9 villages at a depth of 0-15 cm. The soil samples from both siteswere reported to be neutral to slightly alkaline in nature, with mean values of 7.59 and 7.57 for both miningand normal cultivated area, respectively. Electrical conductivity for both the sites was low with a meanvalue for mining area and normal cultivated area were 0.34 dSm-1 and 0.42 dSm-1. High levels of organiccarbon were found in the soil of both mine and non-mining areas, with mean values of 0.83% and 0.98 %,respectively. For all samples from both areas, the bulk and particle densities were within normal range, inmining area bulk density were observed high as compare to normal cultivated area and were observed tohave the maximum pore space and water holding capacity. According to the nutrient index values of soilsamples of Balaghat and Malajkhand blocks werefound to be âMediumâ for Phosphorous (1.80) andPotassium (1.99) and âLowâ for Nitrogen (1.09) and Sulphur (1.12). |