Assessment of Soil Fertility Attributes in Selected Districts of Bundelkhand Region of Central India

Abstract

An observational study was carried out to assess the soil fertility attributes of three districts (i.e. Jhansi, Datia and Tikamgarh) of the Bundelkhand region of central India. Soil samples were collected randomly from 0-15 cm soil depth using a soil auger with a diameter of 5 cm and followed the standard protocols for assessing the soil fertility attributes. A total number of samples were 58 (randomly selected sites). The soil reaction was neutral to strongly alkaline (pH 7.28-9.71) in nature.  The electrical conductivity (EC) values were low (0.01- 0.89 dS m-1) indicating that of no harmful effect on crop growth. Most of the soils were found under low category of soil organic carbon (SOC), available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). The available potassium (K) and sulphur (S) were found in the range between 68.32 to 781.76 kg ha-1 and 7.97 to 273.24 kg ha-1, respectively. With respect to DTPA extractable micronutrients i.e. copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were in sufficient range but boron (B), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) were in low category. Based on the Soil Nutrient Index (SNI), the soils of the study area were found in low fertility status for N and P and medium in SOC and K. The SNI for S was ranging from medium to high fertility category. Thus, SOC, N, P, K, B, Fe and Mn were the key soil fertility constraints in the Jhansi, Datia and Tikamgarh districts of the Bundelkhand region. The balanced use of chemical fertilizers and micronutrients (B, Fe and Mn) based on the soil test results along with the combination of bio-fertilizers and organic manures as an integrated nutrient management (INM) approach could greatly help in maintaining the soil fertility and sustainable crop production in Bundelkhand region of central India.