Macro and micronutrients status in soils of khar land research station Girne, Raigad

Abstract

The assessment of soil fertility is essential for understanding the nutrient status and potential productivity of agricultural land. Soil fertility evaluation provides vital information for soil management and crop production, helping farmers and land managers make informed decisions on nutrient applications and other soil amendments. The present study was conducted at khar land research station Girne, Raigad, a comprehensive soil survey was carried out to evaluate the macro and micronutrient profiles of the region's soils. Nitrogen (N) availability, a key macronutrient for plant growth, was found in the range of 134.85 to 420.22 with a mean value of 222.23 kg ha-1. Phosphorus (P), another essential macronutrient, exhibited a distinct distribution pattern within the soil profiles it ranged between 8.44 to 58.17 with a mean value of 32.21 kg ha-1. Potassium (K), a critical element for plant health, particularly in regulating water use and enzyme activation, showed variability in availability. The range of available potassium was recorded between 92.47 to 3091.47 kg ha⁻¹ with a mean value of 895.66 kg ha-1. In case of DTPA-extractable micronutrient, iron (Fe) ranged from 12.58 to 68.56 mg kg-1, manganese (Mn) ranged from 28.56 to 65.30 mg kg-1, zinc (Zn) ranged from 1.53 to 9.16 mg kg-1, copper (Cu) ranged from 7.72 to 15.25 mg kg-1.