Evaluation of Soil Fertility Status of Research Farm, College of Agriculture and Research Station, Katghora, Korba, Chhattisgarh

Abstract

Total 102 soil surface samples (0-15) were collected from each field of research farm, College of Agriculture, and Research Station Katghora, Korba, (C.G.) to evaluated the soil fertility status, The soil samples were analysed by standard procedures with respect to pH, EC, OC, macronutrients (N, P, K, S) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and B). The results showed that soil pH varied from 4.31 to 5.42 with mean 4.79 and indicated that the soils were found to be moderately acidic to strongly acidic in soil reaction. The electrical conductivity of soil water suspensions ranged from 0.04 to 0.11with mean 0.07 indicated that soils of study area were suitable for all crops. The OC varied from 2.8 to 6.4, with mean value 4.3 g kg-1 and found that about 80 percent soils were under low organic carbon content. Most of the soil samples were found low in available N content, it ranged from 150.53 to 263.16, with mean 224.28 kg ha-1. The available phosphorus varied from 20.51 to 93.32 with mean 49.66 kg ha-1. The available potassium varied from 103.86 to 233.55 with mean 148.81 kg ha-1. The available sulphur varied from 5.99 to 51.55 with mean 22.25 kg ha-1. Micronutrients Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn varied from 6.01 to 44.40 mg kg-1 with mean 20.87 mg kg-1, 4.10 to 16.95 with mean 10.82 mg kg-1, 0.38 to 3.58 with mean 1.82 mg kg-1 and 0.48 to 1.29 with mean 0.82 mg kg-1, respectively. The available B varied from 0.14 to 0.91with mean 0.48 mg kg-1. All the soil samples were found to be high with respect to Fe, Cu and Mn whereas Zn and B were found deficient as 12.75 and 41.19 percent, respectively. According to NIV, the soils of study area were classified in low fertility class for nitrogen, Potassium, Boron, and sulphur, medium fertility class for phosphorus and zinc, and high fertility class for Fe, Mn, Cu.