Major-Nutrients Status in Soils of Kachahh District of Gujarat

A study was undertaken to assess the status of available major nutrients in soils of Kachchh district of Gujarat. About Forty representative surface (0-15 cm) soil samples were collected from farmer’s field of each taluka. The soil samples were analysed for pH, EC, organic carbon, available N, P₂O₅ and K₂O. Soils of Kachchh district are mildly alkaline to moderately alkaline in reaction (pH_2.5 8.14) with low soluble salt content (EC 0.57 dS/m).The organic carbon status of soils of Kachchh district was low (0.35%). The available N, P₂O₅ and K₂O content in these soils ranged from 62.72 to 392.00, 16.81 to 116.58 and 107.52 to 954.24 kg/ ha with a mean value of 193.93, 41.85 and 330.86 kg/ha, respectively. On the basis of nutrient index value, soils of Kachchh district were very low in available nitrogen, marginal in available phosphorus and high in available potassium status. Highly significant and positive correlation was observed between organic carbon with available nitrogen (r=0.842**). Available P₂O₅ showed negative correlation with pH (r=-0.066) and EC (r=-0.011). Available N (r=0.178**) and O.C. (r=0.193**) have highly significantly and positively correlation with pH.