National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)
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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
A study was conducted to assess the soil fertility status of major betel vine growing soils of Tumkur district of Southern Karnataka for sustainable soil management and betel vine production. Thirty soil samples were collected at two different depths (0-30 and 31-60 cm) from different betel vine plantations and analysed for pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and available macro and micronutrients. Analytical results revealed that the soils of the study area were neutral to slightly alkaline in reaction, non-saline in nature and high in organic carbon status. The organic carbon content ranged from 0.57 to 1.05 per cent with a mean of 0.77 per cent. The distribution of organic carbon in soils showed a decreasing trend with depth. Based on the nutrient indexing in soils, the surface soil was medium in available N (276 to 349 kg ha-1), available P (11.6 to 34.3 kg ha-1) and available K (187 to 243 kg ha-1). The exchangeable Ca content of the soil varied from 2.6 to 4.4 cmol (p+) kg-1 and was above 1.5 cmol (p+) kg-1 which is the critical value for ideal soils. Exchangeable Mg content of the soils varied from 0.78 to 1.97 cmol (p+) kg-1 with an average value of 1.30 cmol (p+) kg-1 and found to be higher than the critical value of 1.0 cmol (p+) kg-1 soil. The available sulphur in the soils varied from 9.4 to 15.1 mg kg-1. The DTPA extractable Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu contents in surface soils ranged from 12.1 to 22.3, 3.6 to 7.2, 0.80 to 1.7 and 0.3 to 0.9 mg kg-1, respectively and were sufficient in the surface soils. The contents of DTPA extractable Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu decreased with increase in soil depth. Soil analysis up to 60 cm soil depth revealed that betel vine plantations was high in organic carbon, medium in available N, P, K and S, high in exchangeable Ca and Mg, and sufficient in micronutrients. Contrary to the general perception, there has not been much depletion of soil fertility in betel vine growing soils of Tumkur district. Information generated on soil fertility status would be useful for optimum soil and nutrient management for ensuring sustainable betel vine production in the study area.
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