An investigation was conducted in intensive rice growing block of Viruthachalam, Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. The major objectives were to assess the soil physico- chemical and biological quality parameters in rice soils and to compare soil quality indexing methods viz., Principal component analysis, Minimum data set and Indicator scoring method and to develop soil quality indices for formulating soil and crop management strategies. To fulfil these objectives a total of 34 soil samples were collected from Viruthachalam block and TNAU research stations of Cuddalore district. The results obtained from PCA indicated five Principal Components ( PCs) with eigen values greater than 1 and soil variables from each PC were considered for minimum soil data set MDS) The soil parameters selected from PC 1, PC2, PC3, PC4,PC5 were , bulk density, particle density, porosity, WHC, sand, aggregate stability and Mean Weight Diameter.

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