Soil fertility maps of macronutrient status of Bhudargad tehsil of Kolhapur district (M.S.)

Abstract

The study was carried out to know the fertility status of major nutrients in soils of Bhudargad tehsil, Kolhapur district by using GPS-GIS technology and to correlate soil properties with the available nutrients and to evaluate the fertility index of Bhudargad tehsil. The pH of soils of Bhudargad tehsil varied from 5.5 to 8.0, most of the soils were moderately acidic (50.67%) while EC of the soils varied from 0.02 to 1.48 dS m-1, and the values were normal. The calcium carbonate content of soils of Bhudargad tehsil varied from 0.50 to 2.80 per cent. Organic carbon content varied from 0.26 to 1.32 per cent and categorized as very high (6.67%), high (33.3%), moderately high (40%), moderate (13.33%) and low (6.67%). The available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soils of Bhudargad tehsil ranged from 141.30 to 348.10, 7.16 to 28.00 and 100.20 to 300.00 Kg ha-1, respectively. The soils of were low (57.33%) in available - nitrogen, low (17.33%) to moderately high (42.67%) in available phosphorus and moderately high (51.33%) in available potassium. The exchangeable calcium and magnesium ranged from 6.50 to 48.50 and 1.0 to 19.50 cmol (p+) Kg-1, respectively. The exchangeable sodium ranged from 0.21 to 2.00 cmol (p+) Kg-1.The available sulphur varied from 5.14 to 14.97 mg Kg⁻¹ respectively, and 66 per cent soil samples were in very low category. The pH was significantly and positively correlated with potassium,calcium and magnesium. The EC was significantly and positively correlated with potassium and calcium. The organic carbon was significantly correlated with nitrogen,copper. Calcium carbonate eq. was significantly correlated with available potassium, calcium and magnesium. The fertility indices of soils of Bhudargad tehsil for organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were medium (2.10), low (1.21), low (1.62) and medium (1.94), respectively.