Depth-Wise Fertility Status of Cultivated Soils in Low and Mid Hill Regions of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Detailed knowledge of the soil nutrient status is required in site-specific crop production systems. Moreover, the vertical distribution of plant nutrients is most important for plant production. Therefore, the study was conducted to assess the depth-wise soil fertility status of low and mid hill zones of Himachal Pradesh based on thirty-one (31)soil profiles. Geo-referenced depth-wise soil samples were collected. These thirty-one (31) soils sampling sites were selected to represent the cultivated soils (Entisols, Alfisolsand Inceptisols) under major land-use systemsof low and mid-hill zones of Himachal Pradesh. The results of the soil nutrient status revealed that low to medium content of available N, P and S, low to medium content of available K except fewsubsurface horizons in Inceptisolswas found in most of the soils of low hill zone. Under different land-use systems in mid-hill zone, medium to high content of available N and K, low to medium of available P, low to high of available Swas found in most of the soils. Generally, surface soils had a higher mean values of N, P, S, Cu and Zn and lower values of K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn. Alfisols had higher value of all the nutrients as compared to Entisols and Inceptisols.