Nutritional status of cashew gardens in Sindhudurg district of Konkan region (M.S.)

Abstract

In order to study the nutritional status of cashew growing gardens in Sindhudurg district, a nutritional survey was carried out collecting surface soil (0-30 cm) samples from the farmers field. Two surface samples from each farmer from Bhedsi, Sateli, Sateli-Bhedsi, Zare-Bhamber, Zare-Ambeli and Ambeli villages in Dodamarg and Banda tehsil of Sindhudurg district were collected and analysed during the year 2014-15. In all 38 soil samples were collected for the study. The data pertaining to physico-chemical properties of soils showed that the soil samples were moderately acidic in reaction with low electrical conductivity and indicated high content of organic carbon. Thirty two percent (32%) soil samples were medium and sixty eight percent (68%) soil samples were high in available nitrogen content which led to high fertility status of soil. As far as the available phosphorus content was concerned, it showed a nutrient index 1.0 which indicated low fertility status of the soil. In respect of available potassium content, a nutrient index of 2.3 was observed which indicated medium fertility status of the soils. From the correlation studies it could be seen that the pH and organic carbon content of the soils showed dominant effect on the available major nutrients of the soils.