Assessment of Soil Fertility Status around the Chitrakoot District, Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

The overall sustainability of agricultural systems depends largely on the inherent productivity and proper management of soil resources. Soil fertility fluctuates seasonally due to nutrient additions through fertilizers, manures and amendments, as well as losses via crop removal, leaching and erosion. Continuous cropping without adequate replenishment of nutrients (N, P, K and others) leads to nutrient mining and reduced productivity. The present investigation was undertaken to assess the fertility status of soils in selected villages of Karwi, Pahadhi, Ramnagar, Mau and Manikpur blocks of Chitrakoot district, Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. A total of 125 surface soil samples (0–20 cm depth) were collected from farmers’ fields after harvest of major crops and analyzed using standard analytical procedures. Soil reaction varied from neutral to moderately alkaline (pH 6.8–8.4) and electrical conductivity remained below 0.65 dS m⁻¹, indicating non-saline conditions. Organic carbon content ranged from 0.32 to 0.78%, with the majority of samples falling in low to medium categories. Available nitrogen (145–385 kg ha⁻¹) and phosphorus (6.8–28.4 kg ha⁻¹) were predominantly low to medium, whereas available potassium (165–485 kg ha⁻¹) was generally medium to high. Available sulphur ranged from 7.5 to 26.8 mg kg⁻¹ and was deficient in several locations. Among micronutrients, DTPA-extractable zinc deficiency was observed in 58% of soil samples, while iron, manganese and copper were largely sufficient. Nutrient index values identified nitrogen and zinc as the principal limiting nutrients. The results highlight the need for soil test–based balanced fertilization and integrated nutrient management strategies to restore soil fertility and enhance sustainable crop productivity in the Bundelkhand region.