Depth wise distribution of available nutrients of soils of horticulture growing areas of ganderbal district of Kashmir valley

Abstract

The soil sampling was carried out in district Ganderbal in the year 2015 using toposheet (1:50,000) and LISS III image as base map using standard method of soil survey. Keeping in view the major land uses of Ganderbal district, Horticulture growing areas were selected and three profiles were exposed on the basis of soil heterogeneity, vegetation, Physiography, elevation, slope and soil colour. Available Micro and Macro nutrients were determined using standard techniques. The study revealed that the soils were shallow to deep with profile development from A-C, A-Bw-C to A-Bt-C in Foot hills, Low hill plateaus and Inland valley, respectively. The Organic carbon content was confined more in surface horizons than in sub-surface horizons. Soil reaction was slightly acidic to alkaline and the soluble salt concentration was negligible. The available nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and Sulphur were medium in range and decreases with the increase in depth and similar trend was followed by micronutrients decreases with the increase in depth however Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn were medium to high in range.