Principal Component Analysis on Soil Fertility Parameters of Vegetable Growing Panchayats/ Locations in Ernakulam District of Kerala

The present paper used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on 13 soil fertility parameters including soil pH and electrical conductivity of 17 vegetable growing panchyat/locations in Ernakulam district of Kerala based on 583 soil samples. Soil pH of panchayats varied from 4.2- 5.8 with a coefficient of variation 3.16-12.23 per cent and it was inferred that most of the panchayats in the district had very strongly acidic (pH: 4.2-5) and strongly acidic soils (pH: 5-5.5). High level of organic carbon content was noticed in most of the panchayats except in four panchayats. The results of PCA revealed that five PC’s together explained a total variability of 80 per cent and the remaining PCs accounted for 20 per cent of the variability in the data which has been discarded from further analysis. First principal component accounted for 25 per cent variance followed by PC 2(21%), PC 3(14%), PC 4(10%) and PC 5(10%). Factor analysis generated five factors and they explained 85 per cent of variability. Score plot drawn as part of PCA showed that Chengamanadu, Manjapra and Thirumaradi panchayats had high content of soil available S and B. EC was also found to be higher in these panchayats. Amount of OC, Fe and Mn were more in Kalady, Keerampara and Mudakkuzha of Ernakulam district whereas Thuravur, Piravom and Pothanikkad had highly acidic and Mg rich soils. Amount of Zn was more in Vengoor panchayat. Available K, Ca, P and Cu were found to be higher in Kakkad, Nedumbassery, Vengola and Kadungalloor. Based on the fertility status of each panchayats, they could be classified into different groups.