Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ESTIMATION OF SOIL NUTRIENT INDEX FOR TULJAPUR TAHSIL OF OSMANABAD DIST. IN SOUTH WESTERN PART OF MARATHWADA REGION OF MAHARASHTRA STATE, INDIA

O.Y. Hirey, V.G. Takankhar and A.S. Cheke

Abstract

The experiment was carried out to study the fertility status of soils of Tuljapur tahsil of Osmanabad district. For this purpose 180 representative soil samples were collected from 30 villages of Tuljapur tahsil. The collected soil samples were grouped into three orders. Out of the total surveyed soil samples 34 per cent soil samples were grouped under the order Vertisol while 47 per cent and 19 per cent soil samples were grouped under the order Inceptisol and Entisol, respectively and order wise analysis was carried out. This work was carried out for preparation of soil nutrient index by analyzed available N, P, K, S, exchangeable Ca, Mg and micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu). According to nutrient index value the soils of Tuljapur tahsil were found in low category for available N, P, S and Zn, while high with respect to available K, exchangeable Ca & Ma, Fe, Mn, Cu. The nutrient index values for N, P and K were 1.04, 1.40, and 2.53 respectively and for Ca, Mg and S were 3.00, 2.85, 1.49 respectively. The nutrient index values of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were 2.85, 2.88, 1.03 and 3.00 respectively, against the fertility index values < 1.67 for low, 1.67 to 2.33 for medium and > 2.33 for high fertility status of soils of Tuljapur tahsil.