Assessment of Soil Micronutrient Status and Nutrient Indexing of the PDKV-Adopted Muradpur Model Village in Buldhana District, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

The present investigation assessed the soil micronutrient status and nutrient index values (NIVs) of the PDKV-adopted Muradpur Model Village in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, India. The study area was divided into eight sampling blocks (A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H), and 84 geo-referenced surface soil samples were collected from a depth of 0–20 cm using a GPS-based sampling approach. The samples were analysed for soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and DTPA-extractable micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn) using standard analytical procedures. The soils were neutral to slightly alkaline and free from soluble-salt hazards. Soil organic carbon ranged from 2.00 to 7.10 g kg⁻¹, with a mean of 4.71 g kg⁻¹, indicating low to moderately high status. Calcium carbonate ranged from 1.79 to 6.93%, with a mean of 4.24%, indicating moderately calcareous soils. Available zinc ranged from 0.40 to 2.20 mg kg⁻¹, with a mean of 1.10 mg kg⁻¹ and an NIV of 1.75. Available iron ranged from 3.18 to 11.34 mg kg⁻¹, with a mean of 7.07 mg kg⁻¹ and an NIV of 1.54. Available copper ranged from 0.64 to 2.75 mg kg⁻¹, with a mean of 1.71 mg kg⁻¹ and an NIV of 2.80. Available manganese ranged from 5.96 to 16.47 mg kg⁻¹, with a mean of 9.67 mg kg⁻¹ and an NIV of 2.35. Zinc was identified as the most limiting micronutrient, whereas iron, copper and manganese were generally sufficient for crop production. The nutrient-index maps and geo-referenced database provide information for site-specific nutrient management, balanced fertiliser application and sustainable soil-fertility management.