Spatial variability assessment in Central Farm Soils of Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu using GIS techniques

Sellamuthu K M,Kumaraperumal R,Malathi P

doi:10.29321/maj.10.000527

Abstract

A total number of 201 surface soil samples were collected encompassing the fields of Central Farm of Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu. The GPS data (Latitude ºN and Longitude ºE) were recorded for each sampling site by using GPS-Garmin eTrex Vista HCX model. Field maps were collected and field number wise digitization was done. Soil samples were processed and anlaysed for soil physic-chemical and fertility parameters. Results indicated that soil samples were neutral to alkaline in reaction, non saline, and slightly calcareous to non calcareous in nature. Soil fertility groupings under percent category indicated that the soils were medium in soil organic carbon, low in available nitrogen, medium to high in available phosphorus, medium to high in available potassium, and low in available sulphur. With respect to DTPA extractable micronutrients, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu were found to dominate by low to medium, low, high, medium to high categories, respectively. HWS-Boron was also recorded under the high category. The nutrient index values of the samples indicated a high status for organic carbon, available P and K, while medium for available N and adequate for available sulphur. With respect to micro nutrients, nutrient index values indicated that adequate for DTPA-Zn and very high for DTPA-Fe, Mn, Cu, and HWS-B. Thematic maps generated on the individual parameters depicted the spatial variability of parameters in the Central Farm of Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam. In the identified areas of poor fertility status, nutrient deficiency has to be eliminated by the application of organic and /or inorganic sources to maintain sustainable soil fertility status. Soil test-based fertilizer recommendations and micronutrients are to be followed to mitigate nutrient deficiencies and achieve sustained crop production and soil fertility.

Highlights

Soil is the medium for plant growth and in-depth insight on soil is a prerequisite for planning, monitoring, and developing strategies viz., optimum land, water, fertilizer use, and management aiming at high returns
A total of 201 surface soil samples were collected from the fields of Central Farm of Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu
The soil samples were analyzed for pH and EC (Jackson, 1973), organic carbon (Walkley and Black, 1934), available nitrogen (Subbiah and Asija, 1956), available phosphorus (Olsen et al.,1954), available potassium (Stanford and English, 1949), available sulphur (Williams and Steinbergs, 1959), available Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn (Lindsay and Norvell, 1978) and available Boron (Berger and Truog, 1944)

Summary

Introduction

Soil is the medium for plant growth and in-depth insight on soil is a prerequisite for planning, monitoring, and developing strategies viz., optimum land, water, fertilizer use, and management aiming at high returns. The regional variation in the yield of crops is primarily due to natural factors like soil and climate. For sustained production of crops and soil health, maintenance of nutrient and moisture availability have to be maintained and managed carefully. A continuous decline in soil fertility endangers the fertility and productivity of the soil. Cropping patterns, leaching, erosion, etc., lead to the loss of fertile soil and nutrients every year. Continued cropping patterns without restoring nutrients in the soil will reduce its natural fertility and crop yields will decline. Soil testing provides the nutrient status of soils and forms the basis for the fertilizer prescription for maximizing the crop yield

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Results

Conclusion