Vertical distribution of nutrients in groundnut growing soils in semiarid region of Yerpedu mandal in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

A survey was undertaken to study vertical distribution of nutrients in the soil profiles/ pedons arranged in groundnut growing areas of Yerpedu mandal in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh to understand nutrients supplying capacity of lower layers of soil profiles. The results revealed that, the available P in groundnut growing soils was sufficient in the surface and subsurface horizons of all pedons except pedon 5 wherein P was deficient in subsurface horizon while the available K was sufficient in surface horizons but deficient to sufficient in subsurface horizons in all the pedons. The exchangeable Ca and Mg and available S in groundnut growing soils were sufficient in surface and subsurface horizons of all the pedons. However, the available S in groundnut growing soils was high in surface horizons than in subsurface horizons whereas exchangeable Ca and Mg showed an irregular trend with depth. The DTPA-extractable Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn in groundnut growing soils were found to be above their critical limits in surface and subsurface horizons in all the pedons except in pedons 4 and 5 for Fe in surface and subsurface horizons and Mn in subsurface horizons. All the micronutrients were higher in surface soils than subsurface soils except in pedons 4 and 5 for Fe.