Assessment and Mapping of Nutrients in Soils of Babain and Ladwa Blocks of Kurukshetra using GIS

Abstract

The study was conducted in 2021-22 to evaluate the soil fertility status and create geospatial thematic mapping of available macro and micronutrients using GIS, and their correlation with physico-chemical properties of the soils of the Babain and Ladwa blocks of Kurukshetra, India. A composite of 204 georeferenced soil samples was collected from different villages of both blocks and samples were analysed using standard procedures. The average pH of the soils of Babain and Ladwa had a mean value of 8.10 and 8.18. Among the total soil samples, 92 and 80 samples were found to be saline in Babain and Ladwa, respectively. The nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulphur content in the soils of the Babain block ranged from 105-280, 6-32, 80-500 and 34-298 kg ha-1, while in the Ladwa block nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulphur content in the soils ranged from 89-287, 7-27, 65-510 and 45-430 kg ha-1, respectively. The soil samples exhibited varying levels of zinc, iron, and copper, with some falling into the sufficient category and others into the deficient category. However, all samples had sufficient manganese and boron content. The observed deficiency of zinc, iron and copper can be replenished with the application of manures and fertilizers to improve soil fertility and crop productivity.