Mapping of macronutrient status in soils of Gaganbawda tehsil of Kolhapur district using GPS-GIS technique

Abstract

The present study entitiled “GPS-GIS based soil fertility maps of Gaganbawda tehsil of Kolhapur district (M.S.)” was conducted during year 2016-2017, by using Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographical Information System (GIS). Soil samples were analysed for pH, EC,OC, Per cent CaCO3 equivalent, available macronutrients N,P,K,S, Exchangeable Calcium, magnesium and sodium. The availability of macronutrient and their relationship with soil properties were studied. The soil pH varied from 4.86 to 6.94 with a mean value 5.77 and indicated that strongly acidic to slightly acidic in reaction. The EC of soil varied from 0.10 to 0.32 dSm-1 (mean value 0.15) and indicated that 100 per cent soils were noraml in nature. The per cen CaCO3 equivalent content and organic carbon content ranged from0.37 to 2.25 and 0.58 to 1.80 per cent with a mean value 1.37 per cent and 1.20 per cent respectively. The soils of Gaganbawda tehsil were baerely calcareous to moderatly calcerous and moderate to very high in organic carbon content. The available macronutrients N, P, K and S ranged from 161.50 to 385.72 kg ha-1, 4.48 to 14.33 kg ha-1, 100.80 to 380.80 kg ha-1 and 10.82 to 24.15 mg kg-1 respectively. Soils were low to moderate in available nitrogen, very low to moderate in available in phosphrous, moderate to very high in available potassium and moderate to high in available sulphur. The exchangeble calcium, magnesium and sodium ranged from 2.20 to 10.40 [Cmol(p+) kg-1], 0.30 to 7.10 [cmol(p+)kg-1] and 0.10 to 0.52 [cmol(p+)kg-1]. Exchangeable calcium and magnesium were 100% deficient. Organic carbon showed positive significant correlation with available K and negative significant corrleation with sulphur. CaCO3 showed positive significant correlation with potassium, calcium and magnesium.