INVESTIGATION OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF RHIZOSPHERE SEDIMENTS FROM EAST COAST REGION, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Objective: The objective of the present study was aimed the physicochemical properties of rhizosphere sediments from the East coast region of Tamil Nadu, India, have been investigated for soil pH, ion contents, organic contents, N and P, as well as obtaining the defined data from samples collected at different depths.Methods: A total of 25 sediment samples from five different locations was collected at a depth of 5–20 cm from the earth's surface and analyzed for the physicochemical parameters by standard methods.Results: The physical parameters of sediment show pH 8.02–8.36, salinity shows high in the aqueous solution of clayey sediment, ranging from a minimum of 3.2 and maximum of 5.4 dsm−1. Lime content and texture shows silt to clay loam, respectively. The chemical parameters include macronutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and micronutrients such as zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (I), and manganese (Mn) were analyzed. The N, P, and K ranged from 87.5–110.5 (kg/ac), 2.9–4.5 (kg/ac), 132–169 (ppm) and the micronutrients ranged from 1.2–1.36, 0.70–1.06, 5.63–9.64, and 3.06–3.63 mg/kg, respectively.Conclusion: The nutrient contents of the coastal sediment may vary depending on the fluctuation of the nutrient cycle from high to low. The physical properties of the soil were strongly correlated with soil fertility. Favorable physical properties occurs in highly weathered and nutrient depleted soils and limiting physical properties occurs in the least weathered and more fertile soils. Hence, they require frequent analysis of physicochemical parameters to enhance the growth of plants in a successful manner.Keywords: East coastal sediments, Physico-chemical parameters, Macro and micronutrients