Vertical distribution of available nutrients in soils of Brahmanakotkur watershed of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

The detailed soil survey was carried out in Brahmanakotkur watershed of Kurnool district in the year 2018 using toposheet (1:50,000) and LISS IV image as base map. For this, six pedons viz., Brahmanakotkur (P1 to P4), Paipalem (P5) and Diguvapadu (P6) were studied. The soils were analysed for macro and micro nutrients status by adopting standard analytical procedures. The study revealed that the soils were shallow to very deep with profile development of A-Bw-C, A-Bss-C and A-C in Plains, Lowlands and Uplands, respectively. The Organic carbon content was more in surface horizons than in sub-surface horizons. However, the available nitrogen was low, available phosphorus, potassium and sulphur was low to high status. DTPA extractable micronutrient Zn was found to be sufficient in surface horizons and deficient in sub-surface horizons excepting in pedons 3 and 5 wherein it was found to be sufficient in pedon 3 and deficient in pedon 5. The DTPA extractable Fe and Zn was found to be deficient to sufficient whereas DTPA extractable Cu and Mn were found to be sufficient. The available macro and micronutrients were decreased with increasing depth in all the pedons.