Soil Fertility Mappingto identify Soil Related Production Constraints at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Palem, Telangana

Abstract:

The study was conducted to evaluate the major and micronutrient status of Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Palem of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Nagarkurnool District, Telangana. A total of 150 soil samples were collected by gird method at a depth of 0-15 cm and analyzed for soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P2O5), potassium (K2O), sulphur (S) and micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and B) by following standard methods, further Arc-GIS software was used to prepare soil fertility maps. The farm soils were strongly acidic to moderately alkaline in reaction, and non-saline. The mean values of analyzed soil samples were low in organic carbon (0.35%), available nitrogen (136.51 kg ha-1), sulphur (6.13 mg kg-1), and boron (0.33 mg kg-1)content. Further, the mean values of farm soils exerted medium to high in available phosphorus & potassium (69.44 and 423.32 kg ha-1 respectively) status. Micronutrients viz., Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn registered beyond the acceptable range of 1.45, 2.05, 15.27 and 26.53 mg kg-1, respectively. The generated soil fertility status information can serve as an effective tool for site specific nutrient management for scientists and extension professionals to build future research strategies based on the determined soil fertility status.