Soil nutritional evaluation using parkers nutrient index in tasar silkworm host plants growing soils of Jashpur districts of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

Due to continuous tasar sericulture practices and use of imbalanced fertilizers, the areas gradually tend to show depletion of nutrients which has a negative impact on quality and quantity of cocoons. Hence, a detailed soil survey was undertaken in Jashpur District of Chhattisgarh state of India with an aim of evaluating the fertility status of soils under tasar host plants i.e. Terminalia arjuna and T. tomentosa growing regions. A total of 144 surface samples were collected from a depth of 0-30 cm and analyzed for physico-chemical properties of soil using standard analytical methods. The results indicated that the most of the soil samples were moderately acidic and lower in Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) percentage. Majority of the soil samples were low in nitrogen (97.9% samples), phosphorus (44.4% samples) and medium (69.44% samples) in potassium availability. Similarly, 47.22 % soil samples were medium in sulphur availability. Among the micronutrients, Zn was found to be sufficient in 37% cases, medium in 56% and deficient in 7%, whereas, B was found to be sufficient in 98%, Fe in 55%, Mn in 99% and Cu in 78%. Based on soil Nutrient Index Value (NIV), majority soil samples sites were showed low index in respect to SOC and available N and medium NIV in S. However, all other available nutrients i.e. P, K and micronutrients were higher NIV.