Soil fertility mapping in soils of lakkundi micro-watershed derived from basaltic landscape in Bailhongal Taluk of Belagavi district, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Soil samples from the Lakkundi micro-watershed (4D5B8k05) in the hilly zone of Karnataka were drawn at 320 m x 320 m grid interval and assessed for fertility parameters. Analytical data was interpreted and statistical parameters like range, mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation were calculated for each parameter. Soil fertility maps for each parameter were prepared using GIS technology with ArcGIS v 10.3.1. The soils were slightly alkaline and non-saline. Soil organic carbon content was medium. Available nitrogen (N) was low and available phosphorus (P2O5) was low to medium. While, available potassium (K) was high and sulphur (S) was medium. Among available micronutrients; manganese and copper were sufficient, iron was deficient, while zinc was deficient to sufficient. The available boron content was medium to high. Nutrient mapping using GIS techniques revealed that available nitrogen, phosphorus, iron and zinc were important soil fertility constraints in the Lakkundi micro-watershed.