Evaluation of soil fertility status of Regional Agricultural Research Station, Tarahara, Sunsari, Nepal

Authors : Dinesh Khadka, Sushil Lamichhane, Shukra R Shrestha, Buddhi B Pant

Pages : 295-306

Doi:10.18393/ejss.303512

View : 45 | Download : 13

Publication Date : 2017-10-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Soil fertility evaluation of an area or region is most basic decision making tool for the sustainable soil nutrient management. In order to evaluate the soil fertility status of the Regional Agricultural Research Station insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(RARS);, Tarahara, Susari, Nepal. Using soil sampling auger 81 soil samples insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(0-20 cm); were collected based on the variability of land. The collected samples were analyzed for their texture, structure, colour, pH, OM, N, P 2 O 5 , K 2 O, Ca, Mg, S, B, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn status. The Arc-GIS 10.1 software was used for the preparation of soil fertility maps. The soil structure was granular to sub-angular blocky and varied between brown- dark grayish brown and dark gray in colour. The sand, silt and clay content were 30.32±1.4%, 48.92±0.89% and 20.76±0.92%, respectively and categorized as loam, clay loam, sandy loam, silt loam and silty clay loam in texture. The soil was moderately acidic in pH insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(5.98±0.08);. The available sulphur insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2.15±0.21 ppm);, available boron insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(0.08±0.01 ppm); and available zinc insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(0.35±0.03 ppm); status were very low, whereas extractable magnesium insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(44.33±6.03 ppm); showed low status. Similarly, organic matter insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2.80±0.07%);, total nitrogen insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(0.09±0.004 %);, extractable calcium insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1827.90±45.80 ppm); and available copper insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1.15±0.04 ppm); were medium in content. The available phosphorus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(39.77±5.27 ppm);, extractable potassium insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(134.12±4.91 ppm);, and available manganese insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(18.15±1.15 ppm); exhibits high status, while available iron insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(244.7±19.70 ppm); was very high. The fertilizer recommendation can be done based on determined soil fertility status to economize crop production. Furthermore, research farm should develop future research strategy accordance with the prepared soil data base.
Keywords : Macronutrients, micronutrients, research strategy, soil fertility maps, soil variation

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