Distribution of secondary nutrients under different land use in Hebburu micro-watershed of Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka

Abstract

The investigation was conducted at UAHS, Shivamogga to know the distribution of secondary nutrients under different land use in Hebburu micro-watershed. 158 soil samples were collected grid-wise under different land use viz., coconut, arecanut, onion, chili, ragi, oilseed/pulse, uncultivable land and other horticultural land use were analysed for their fertility status. The texture of soils varied from sandy loam to sandy clay loam in texture. Results revealed that bulk density and particle density ranged from 1.09 to 1.88 and 1.80 to 2.87 Mg m-3, respectively. The values of pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, calcium carbonate equivalent and per cent base saturation ranged from 4.15 to 9.37, 0.01 to 3.07 dS m-1, 0.60 to 9.60 g kg-1, 0.20 to 128.60 g kg-1, 6.31 to 135.80 c mol (p+) kg-1 and 31.57 to 99.35 per cent, respectively. The distribution of secondary nutrients viz., exchangeable Ca, exchangeable Mg and available S values in soils ranged from 1.70 to 52.25and 0.30 to 26.80 c mol (p+) kg-1 and 0.26 to 9.51 mg kg-1, respectively. Secondary nutrients showed positive and significant correlation with pH, clay, CEC and negative and significant correlation with BD.