Assessment of Macro-nutrients of Cultivated Soils in Rangareddy District of Telangana, India

Abstract

In the present study a comprehensive field survey was undertaken to evaluate the levels of soil macro nutrients in the arable lands of Rangareddy district, situated in the Southern Telangana region. A total of 179 surface soil samples (0–15 cm depth) were collected from the cultivable soils in parts of Rangareddy district, considering topography and soil types. This collection was accomplished using a stratified random sampling approach, conducted after the kharif season and prior to the commencement of the rabi season. The collected soil samples were analysed for soil Available Nitrogen (Avl. N) (Kg ha-1), Available Phosphorus (Avl. P) (Kg ha-1) and Available Potassium (Avl. K) (Kg ha-1) using standard protocols. The prevalent soil types in the study area predominantly consist of clay, clayey loam, and gravelly clay. The concentrations of Avl. N, Avl. P, and Avl. K exhibited a range of 13.86 to 501.73 Kg ha-1, 1.13 to 127.58 Kg ha-1, and 69.88 to 896.0 Kg ha-1, respectively. The outcomes pertaining to different crop varieties indicated that the highest content of Avl. N was observed in plantation crops, while the maximum Avl. P and Avl. K were recorded in agricultural soils. Conversely, the least Avl. N was noted in agricultural crop types, and the lowest Avl. P and Avl. K were registered in plantation crop types. Regarding soil categorizations, clay soils demonstrated the highest levels of Avl. NPK, whereas gravelly soils exhibited the lowest Avl. N content, and clayey loam soils displayed the lowest levels of Avl. P and Avl. K.