Vertical distribution of available nutrients in soils of paddy and sugarcane growing areas of Navsari district in Gujarat

Abstract

The detailed soil survey was carried out in paddy and sugarcane growing areas of village Butlaw and Dabhalia in Navsari district during 2016-2017, using cadastral maps of the villages as base map and three pedons were studied. Soil samples were collected horizon wise and analyzed for physico-chemical properties and available nutrients status by adopting standard analytical procedures. Soils were having deep solum with the development of Ap-C2, Ap-B24ss and Ap-B23ss pedons. Soil pH was found as alkaline in the reaction without any salinity hazard. The OC content was more in surface horizons than in sub-surface horizons. CEC values show that these soils are having good nutrient supply capacity and water holding capacity. There was a presence of free CaCO3 in all the pedons but the soils were non-calcareous. Available N was rated as low; available P was rated as low to high; available K was rated as low to medium; available S was rated as high; available Fe, Mn and Cu were found to be sufficient irrespective of horizons whereas available Zn was found sufficient in the upper horizons and deficient in the lower horizons. All the available nutrients were found to decrease with increasing depth.