Soil Fertility Assessment and Management Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture in Chikkanayakanahalli Block of Karnataka, India

Abstract

Soil testing is essential for determining the availability of nutrients within the soil, which indicates fertilizer recommendations aimed at optimizing crop yields. Soil test summaries are indispensable reference tools for the scientific management of soil. A total of 113 surface soil samples were randomly collected from farmers field across nine villages in the Chikkanayakanahalli block to assess the fertility status of the soil. From the above study observed that the soils in the Chikkanayakanahalli block of Tumkur district in Karnataka State exhibit a range from moderately acidic to Slightly alkaline (5.24 to 8.02) pH levels, characterized by normal electrical conductivity (0.08 to 0.23 dSm-1) and low organic carbon content (0.11 to 0.54%) with a few exceptions. The assessment of available macronutrients indicated a low to medium in nitrogen (104.7 to 340.5 kg ha-1), whereas phosphorus (12 to 68 kg ha-1) and potassium (53.5 to 407.5 kg ha-1) levels varying from low to high. Additionally, the evaluation of available micronutrients revealed that all soil samples were either deficient to sufficient in iron (0.98 to 2.81 mg kg-1) and manganese (0.23 to 3.94 mg kg-1), whereas recorded sufficient to excessive levels of zinc (0.86 to 9.72 mg kg-1) and copper (1.55 to 17.58 mg kg-1). The findings of this research highlight the urgent need for intensive soil nutrient management due to the overexploitation of soil resources. The declining levels of critical parameters such as organic carbon suggested that the necessitating prompt action for the sustainable management of soil resources.