GIS based Fertility Maps of Soils of Alirajpur District of Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Geo-statistics is an important tools extensively used for analyzing the spatial variability, interpolating between point observations and ascertaining the interpolated values with specified error using a minimum number of observations. GPS based two hundred seventy two surface soil samples were collected randomly from agricultural area of Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh under AICRP on MSN project. Results recorded that the73. 90, 26.10, 77.57, 64.71, 93.01 and 25.37 per cent soil samples were found to be deficient in N, P, K, S, Zn, and Fe respectively. Considering nutrient index values of <1.67 for low, 1.67-2.33 for medium and >2.33 for high fertility status, the soils of the study area were found to be in the category of low for OC, N, K,S and Zn; medium for P; and high with Mn, Cu, Fe and B. From the study, it is concluded that the soils of tribal dominated Alirajpur district is deficient in many numbers of nutrients. Therefore balanced and soil test based nutrient management practices should be followed to alleviate nutrient deficiencies of soils for sustainable crop production. None of the soil samples were tested low in Cu and Mn were found to be deficient. GIS based fertility maps showed that the fertility status of N, P, K, S, Zn, and Fe were deficient in major areas of research. Thus, these maps are useful for recommendation of fertilizers to increase the productivity.