Characterization of Spatial Variability of Soil Fertility Parameters Using Geo-Spatial Techniques

Abstract

GPS based surface soil samples were collected from Hanumana, Huzur, Mangawan, Naigarhi, Raipur-Karchulian and Sirmour blocks of Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh, India during off season of 2011-2012. Geographically, it is situated between 24°18' and 25°12' north latitudes and 81°2' and 82°18' east longitudes. and analyzed for soil physiochemical properties using standard method. Results obtained from the laboratory analysis, were studied using standard statistical software. Further, the data were normalized and maps were created using geo-statistical tool in Arc GIS environment. Classical results and maps indicated that the soil samples of studied blocks were found to be slightly acidic to slightly alkaline in reaction, normal in soluble salts, low to medium in organic carbon content and non-calcareous in nature. Result revealed that the nutrient index of sulphur indicated that the low NI value (1.45) in soils of Naigarhi and other blocks showed medium. Similarly, S was deficient to be 61.3% in Naigarhi and followed by 52.93% Sirmour. However, the highest deficiency of Zn (87.30 and 80.95) and lowest NI status (1.13 and 1.21) in Huzur and Mangawan blocks, respectively. NI value of Zn was medium in soils of other blocks. Fe deficiency was found only 4.74 and 8.33 per cent in Mangawan and Raipur Karchuliyan block, respectively. Only 7.94, 2.38, 9.09 and 5.26 were found deficient in B soils of Huzur, Mangawan, Naigarhi and Sirmour blocks, respectively. The Cu, Fe, Mn and B NI value rated high in soils of all studied blocks. The organic carbon content exhibited significant positive correlation with available Zn (r =0.278**) and S (r = 0.149*). However, available boron content exhibited positive correlation with pH. The CaCO3 contents had significant negative correlation with available Zn (r = - 0.140*) and Mn (r = -0.146*). The maps prepared using GIS also suggested the major variability of S, Zn, Fe and B in study area.