Evaluation of soil fertility status of Bhaderwah orchard under temperate condition

Abstract

Soil fertility evaluation of an area or region is most basic decision making tool for the sustainable soil nutrient management. An investigation was conducted to ascertain the properties of the soils and available nutrients of Regional Horticultural Research Sub-station, Bhaderwah. Soil properties and available nutrients i.e. pH, electric conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC) and available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soils of various blocks of the research farm of Bhaderwah, district Doda. During study, it was observed that the dissimilar fruit and agriculture block of the soil properties and available nutrients was more in the variation of surface soils (0-15 cm). Soil properties and available N, phosphorus and K parameters ranged between pH (5.50 -6.42), EC (0.115- 0.166 dSm-1), Organic Carbon (4.12-5.64 g kg-1), available N (198.56 - 254.45 Kg ha-1), available phosphorus (11.45-16.50 Kg ha-1) and available K (125.26- 165.00 Kg ha-1) in different fruit and agriculture crops block of the research farm. The fertilizer recommendation can be done based on determined soil fertility status to economize crop production. Moreover, research farm should develop future research strategy accord with the prepared soil data base.