Assessment of productivity and soil fertility of Meerut in irrigated Agro-ecosystem of western Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

The population of India is likely to reach by 1.4 billion in 2025 as urban. With per capita land availability ha and net availability of cereals and pulses <450 g d -1 , India is facing challenge in coping up with the national food security and environmental sustainability. Western Uttar Pradesh registered a high agricultural growth during the second wave of 'Green Revolution' in 1980 s . However, rapid urbanization and developmental processes are increasingly in conflict with other forms of land use, especially agriculture. The study addresses the productivity trends and soil fertility status of Meerut district of western Uttar Pradesh. The Soil fertility has direct implication on the agriculture production scenario of the region. Soil Samples from 10 villages covering 5 Block were collected during the period of 2018-19. Result showed that the soil organic carbon content was 0.55% which is lower than the required amount 0.89 % of OCM in the soil. Available minimum nitrogen Phosphorus and Potash were found 184 kg/ha, 11.2 kg/ha and as 91.8 kg/ha which are medium. The nitrogen plays the important role for the better yield and growth of crop and good yield (Tandon, H.L.S. 2017) soil nutrient balance sheet in India importance status issues and concerns. Better crop India a crossed 2016, also supported. In (table-1). The micronutrients Manganese Zink, Iron and Copper were also tested for above blocks of the district (Table 2). The average minimum, maximum and average of minimum and maximum Manganese, Zink, Iron and Copper were found as 2.80, 0.66ppm 3.42 and .32 ppm respectively which are less than the required amont. It was observed that the micronutrients are low to medium amounts presents in the soil of the Meerut district therefore recommended to apply these nutrients from outside to obtain maximum productivity. It is argued that augmenting the production through assessment of biophysical potential of district can ensure food security and sustainability of the system.