Mapping of soil macro and secondary nutrients by GIS in Sakri Tehsil of Dhule district (M.S.)

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess available macro and secondary nutrient status of soils of Sakri Tehsil of Dhule District by GIS technique. 225 soil samples (0-22.5 cm) drawn during 2014 from the 75 villages were analyzed for their fertility status and mapped by geographic information system (GIS) technique. The exact locations of soil samples were recorded with the help of GPS. The results indicated that all samples were slightly acidic to moderately alkaline in soil reaction (5.70-8.37), non-saline (0.11 -0.97dS m-1), very low to high in organic carbon (2.10-9.30 g kg-1) and calcium carbonates ranged from (1.25-19.5%). Regarding to macro and secondary nutrients, the available N, P and K ranged between 87.89-297.06 kg ha-1, 4.57-22.96 kg ha-1 and 154.8-560 kg ha-1, respectively, whereas, exchangeable Ca and Mg was sufficient in soils and available S is ranged between 8.13- 45.25 mg kg-1 which was slightly deficient to sufficient in soil. The use of GPS-GIS based technique for soil sampling is new land mark, which will enable the further researchers and University Officials to monitor the changes in soil fertility status for years to come.