International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN.  International E-Bulletin: Information/News regarding: Academics and Research

GIS-based soil fertility mapping in agro ecological units of central part of Kerala, India

Author Affiliations

  • 1Soil Science Department, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Kerala, India
  • 2Soil Science Department, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Kerala, India

Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., Volume 10, Issue (2), Pages 24-37, April,22 (2021)

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate and map the fertility status of soils in Thrissur District located at central part of Kerala, comprising six agro ecological units. A total of 5120 surface soil samples (0-15cm) were collected (one soil sample @ 1ha) along with associated informations on farmers name, soil type, fertilizer application, irrigation etc. The collected samples were air dried and sieved through 2mm sieve. The analyzed soil data were classified as low, medium and high categories based on soil fertility ratings, and parkers nutrient index was calculated. Each agro ecological unit was characterized based on soil nutrient index value with respect to each soil parameter such as pH, EC, OC, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S. In the study area soil pH varied from acidic to slightly alkaline (2.9 -7.7). Soil reaction index was neutral in northern coastal plain and acidic in all the others. Salt index was normal in six AEUs. Among the six agro ecological units, status of N, P and K was high in northern and southern high hills. Acute deficiency of K and S was well observed in northern central laterite. High accumulation P was observed in all the agro ecological units.

References

  1. FAO (1997)., Land resources evaluation and the role of land-related indicators, by W.G. Sombroek, in Land quality indicators and their use in sustainable agriculture and rural development., Land and Water Bulletin No. 5. Rome.
  2. Patel, N.R. (2002)., Remote sensing and gis application in agro-ecological zoning, agriculture and soils division Indian institute of remote sensing, Dehra Dun.,
  3. FAO (1996)., Agro-ecological zoning: guidelines., FAO Soils Bulletin No. 73. Rome.
  4. Jackson, M. L. (1958)., Soil Chemical Analysis by Prentice Hall of India Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi.,
  5. Wackley, A. and Black, I. A. (1934)., Estimation of soil organic carbon by chromic acid titration method., Soil Sci. 37
  6. Bray, R.H. and Kurtz, L. T. (1945)., Determination of total organic carbon and available forms of phosphorous in soils., Soil Science, 59, 39-45.
  7. Chesin, L. and Yien, C.H. (1951)., Turbidimetric determination of available sulphate., Soil Science Society of America Proceeding, 15, 149-151
  8. Parker, F.W., Nelson, W.L., Winters, E. and Miles, J.E. (1951)., The broad interpretation and application of soil test summaries., Agronomy Journal, 43(3), 103-112.
  9. Ramamurthy, B. and Bajaj, J. C. (1969)., Available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium status of Indian soils., Fertilizer News, 14, 25-36
  10. Kerala State Planning Board (2013)., undefined, undefined
  11. Ravikumar, P. and Somashekar, R.K. (2014)., Spatial distribution of macronutrients in soils of Markandeya river basin, Belgaum, Karnataka, India., Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 4(2), 81-94.
  12. Kavitha, C. (2017)., GIS based soil fertility mapping in agroecosystems of Thrissur distrisct, Kerala., Ph.D Thesis submitted to Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala.
  13. Belurkar, R. S. and Yadawe, M. S. (2011)., A Survey of soil fertility status of cashewnut gardens of South Goa, India., International Journal of Applied Biology and Pharmaceutical Technology, 2(3), 494-497.
  14. Korikanthimath, V. S., Gaddy, A. V. and Ankegowda, S. J. (2000)., Status of major nutrients in soils of cardamum (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) plantations in Kodagu District, Karnataka, India., Journal of Spices and Aromatic Crops, 9(2), 117-122
  15. Sannappa, B. and Manjunath, K. G. (2013)., Fertility status of soils in the selected regions of the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India., Scholars Academic Journal of Biosciences, 1(5), 200-208.
  16. Sujatha, M.P., Bindhu, P.S., Sandeep, S., Sureshkumar, P., Kavitha, C. and Remya, E.B. (2013)., Soil fertility: Thrissur District, Soil fertility assessment and information management for enhancing crop productivity in Kerala., (Eds. P. Rajasekharan, K.M. Nair, G. Rajasree, P. Suresh Kumar and M.C Narayanankutty, Kerala State Planning Board, Thiruvanathapuram, p.419-442.
  17. Mahapatra, P.K. and Sahu, S.K. (1996)., Relationship between some major, secondary and micronutrient status of soils growing groundnut and their contents in ground plants., Journal of Indian Society of Soil Science, 44(1), 100-103.
  18. Medhe, S.R., Tankankhar, V.G. and Salve, A.N. (2012)., Correlation of chemical properties, secondary nutrients and micronutrient anions from the soils of Chakur Tahsil of Latur district, Maharashrta., Journal of Trends in life sciences, 1(2).
  19. Kavitha, C. and Sujatha, M.P. (2015)., Evaluation of Soil Fertility Status in Various Agro ecosystems of Thrissur District, Kerala, India., International Journal of Agriculture and Crop Sciences, 8(3), 328-338.
  20. Saikh, H., Varadachari, C. and Ghosh, K. (1998)., Effects of deforestation and cultivation on soil CEC and contents of exchangeable bases. A case study in Simplipal National Park, India., Plant Soil, 204, 67-75.
  21. Aitken, R. L., Dickson,T., Hailes, K. J. and Moody, P.W. (1999)., Response of field grown maize to applied magnesium in acidic soils in northeastern Australia., Journal of Agricultural Research, 50, 191-198.
  22. Mini, V., Mathew, U. and Indira, M. (2015)., Nutrient use strategies for coconut based cropping system in Onattukara sandy tract, Kerala., IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, 8(3), 11-15.