Assessment of the Soil Physio-chemical Properties and Nutrient Dynamics in Niyamtabad Block, Chandauli District, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate soil fertility and quality parameters of Niyamatabad Block of Chandauli district Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) which is located at 25.26° N latitude and 83.26° E longitude and at elevation of 80.7 m above mean sea level (AMSL) in the centre of Gangatic plain of Northern India. A total of 60 soil samples were collected from the farmer’s field from different villages of Niyamatabad Block. Physico-chemical property analyses showed average bulk density of 1.36 mg/m3 whereas water holding capacity ranged from 32.62 to 51.70 %, pH ranged from 6.3 to 8.8, EC ranged from 0.14 to 0.85 dSm-1 and organic carbon content ranged from 0.17 to 0.93 % with low to medium organic carbon content in 80% of the soil samples. Macronutrient analysis showed low range for nitrogen, high phosphorus and medium for potassium and sulphur with mean values of 140.91 Kg/ha, 31.27 kg/ha respectively whereas mean value of potassium (188.81kg/ha) and for sulphur mean value (15.85 mg/kg). Micro-nutrient analysis found range for copper and manganese with values ranging from 1.63 to 6.1 mg/kg and 8.5 to 36.1 mg/kg respectively, with iron in the medium to high range (17.31 to 152.2 mg/kg) while available zinc (0.64 to 2.08 mg/kg) was in the high range in the tested samples. It is expected that the current study will assist the farmers in the study area by offering the necessary instructions for managing soil fertility over the long term, improving soil quality, and creating crop varieties that can flourish without reducing production.