Status assessment of macronutrients in banana leaves and its associated soil in Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Macronutrients are critically essential for successful plant growth and are consumed in larger quantities from fertile soils. Most of the soil conditions all over the world can support plants with sufficient nutrition and do not need fertilizer to complete life cycle. In the meanwhile, soils have manipulated through anthropogenic means through the addition of fertilizer to promote vigorous growth and increase yield. This study was aimed to assess the status of macronutrients in the agricultural soils of District Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan. A total of 33 composite soil samples at the depths of 0-15 and 15-30 cm including exact number of banana leaves were also collected from different study sites. The macronutrients i.e. NPK, Ca, Mg, Zn and Cl were assessed their status in the soils. In addition, organic matter, Electrical Conductivity, pH and lime (CaCO3) also analyzed. Results showed that physicochemical properties of surface and sub-surface soils were heavy in texture, non-saline, medium alkaline and moderately calcareous in nature. The analysis of soluble anions indicated that carbonates were absent and chlorides were dominant as compared to bicarbonates. Concentrations of nitrogen and zinc were remained below stipulated levels of soil standards. Whereas, phosphorus, potassium, manganese and chloride ions were recorded above critical limits. This study recommend that fertilizers dosage of nitrogen and phosphorous should be increased to get maximum banana yield.