Status of Soil Physical Properties at Various Depths and Slope Positions Under Different Land uses of Sitakunda Hill Forest, Chattrogram

Abstract

Soil physical properties act as a determining factor for sustainable land management practices. The study aimed to assess the impacts of slopes and depths on soil physical properties. In three replications, 36 soil samples were collected from three land uses (Natural, Plantation, and Fallow hilly area) from both valley and slope. The investigated variables were moisture content, bulk density, maximum water holding capacity, porosity, particle density, color, structure and texture, and infiltration capacity. Significant differences were found in moisture content, porosity, particle density, and water holding capacity between land use at 15 cm and 30 cm depth on the slope and 15 cm valley. However, no significant differences were found in most of these variables at 30cm depth in the valley. Plantation areas had higher infiltration rates than Natural and Fallow hilly area. The differences are due to topography, human interference, and poor management, which affect the physical properties of soil.