The relationship of physical and chemical properties of soils with that of nitrification potential was studied in five different types of soils of North Karnataka. Only the coarse sand content among physical properties and available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium and bicarbonatcs among chemical properties showed a significant positive correlation with nitrification potential of the soils. Organic carbon and total nitrogen showed a significant negative correlation with the nitrification potential. Other physico-chemical properties did not show any significant influence on nitrification potential