Effect of WTP Lime Sludge on the Properties of Agricultural Soil of Jumar Watershed, Jharkhand, India

The case study of Jumar Watershed, Jharkhand, India, has been considered for experimental study. This experimental research aims to evaluate the change in selected Index and physiochemical properties of agricultural soil by using water treatment plant lime sludge to improve the productivity of the soil. The watershed is known to have a frequent termite infestation, which destroys farmland productivity. Soil samples were collected randomly using GPS from farm plots at 5–30 cm depth. Lime sludge was collected from the Rukka water filtration plant, Rukka, Ranchi, Jharkhand. Lime sludge was applied as 3 and 6%, by weight of soil. Then the soil index properties (water content, density, specific gravity, Atterberg limits) and soil physicochemical properties (pH, bulk density, electrical conductivity) were calculated for each added percentage. The study revealed that using lime sludge can increase the water holding capacity of soil by increasing pore space and acting as a good soil conditioner.