Exploring Soil Quality Variations across Upper, Middle, And Lower Ganga Regions: Leveraging GIS & Multivariate Statistical Methods to assess Organic Farming Viability

Abstract

Abstract To assess the viability of organic farming by analyzing various characteristics, 26 soil samples were gathered from five states in three Indo-Gangetic regions for the current study. With a median pH of 6.7 and electrical conductivity ranging from 85.27 µs/cm to 425.63 µs/cm, the sites from Upper Ganga Region (UGR) showed favorable soil conditions, leading to higher Soil Quality Index values (0.68 to 0.75; p < 0.05). On the other hand, the Lower Ganga Region (LGR) exhibited neutral to slightly alkaline pH of 7.7, greater EC levels (421.89 µs/cm to 690.75 µs/cm), and lower SQI values (0.55 to 0.62; p < 0.05). The UGR had the highest nitrogen levels (153.87 kg/ha to 172.64 kg/ha; p < 0.05), while the Middle Ganga Region (MGR) had higher amounts of phosphorus (18.76 kg/ha to 24.59 kg/ha; p < 0.05) and potassium (204.15 kg/ha to 235.78 kg/ha). The amounts of each nutrient varied widely. The LGR exhibited higher levels of zinc (range: 48.26 mg/kg to 55.94 mg/kg) and lead (6.25 mg/kg to 8.31 mg/kg; p < 0.05) in comparison to the UGR and MGR, however the concentrations of heavy metals varied. In conclusion, organic farming is feasible along the Ganga basin region; however, because of its favorable soil conditions and higher SQI values, the UGR may be a better location for it, while the MGR & LGR might need more intensive soil management techniques to reduce the risk of contamination and promote sustainable organic farming practices.