Assessment of Soil Fertility and Soil Nutrients of Three Land Use Systems in Jotsoma, Sechu and Rihuba Villages, Nagaland

Abstract

Soil testing is a key element in assessing the fertility status of soil and hence can be effectively used for assessing plant nutrient requirements and probability of crop production and use of fertilizers. Soils differ in their ability to supply nutrients to plants. The total amount of nutrients in the soil and the amount of their available forms as well as rate of nutrient transformation from unavailable forms to available form and vice versa are the major factors determining fertility status of the soils. To determine the fertility of the soils collected from three villages of Kohima and Phek Districts, both laboratory methods as well as testing kits were used. Various parameters like Nitrogen, Organic carbon, Phosphorus, Potassium along with electric conductivity and pH values is used to investigate the fertility status of soil. Study suggests that both Nitrogen and Phosphorus concentrations range between low to medium whereas organic content is high. Study further suggests that the studied soils are low in their pH. Electrical conductance value is low hence salinity effect is negligible. Potassium content is in medium range. A low to medium NI fertility status have also been interpreted on the basis of N, P and K. Present study also recommends the enhancement of the elemental concentrations through artificial means in the soils of the study area to increase the fertility.