Impact of different nutrient management practices on soil fertility status in arecanut and black pepper cropping system of Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, India

Abstract

A soil survey was carried out to evaluate soil primary and secondary nutrients in arecanut and black pepper gardens at Sirsi, Siddapur and Yellapur taluks of Uttara Kannada district during 2020-21. These areca- black pepper gardens were divided based on different nutrient management practices into INM, Organic and ZBNF gardens. The soil samples were collected from there three selected groups of arecanut and black pepper gardens at two depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm. Study revealed that soil pH and EC did not show any significant difference among the different nutrient management practices. The organic areca gardens recorded higher soil organic carbon content (1.16, 1.20 and 1.19% respectively) at Sirsi, Siddapur and Yellapur taluks. The available major nutrients in the were found highest in INM areca-black pepper gardens than other gardens at all three taluks. The surface soil has recorded significantly highest available major nutrients. The higher Ca, Mg and S content was recorded in INM areca gardens. Soil surface was found to be having higher Ca, Mg and S content than subsurface soils at all three taluks. Higher yield was recorded in INM areca gardens compared to other gardens.