摘要：Soil is a principal source of nutrients essential for plant growth. The purpose of this study is to estimate pH, texture, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon, and macro and micronutrients in agriculture and forest soils of Kodaikanal. Nutrient rank in agriculture soil is higher when compared to the forest soil. In agriculture lands, soil quality is based on the parent material, and here the usage of fertilizers and manures in the soil are reflected in the nutrient availability. Forest soil had an adequate amount of nutrients; nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as 94mg/kg, 24 mg/kg and 123 mg/kg, respectively, due to the presence of microorganisms,recycling and metabolism of wastes, whereas agriculture soil had 492mg/kg, 115mg/kg and 593mg/kg of NPK. It was shown that there was an abnormal increase in the amount of nutrients in agriculture soil due to the extensive usage of fertilizers, which on the other hand leads to the decrease in soil fertility.
