Soil Fertility Appraisal for Palwal District of Haryana Using Geospatial Tools


116

Authors

  • Ankush Dhanda CCS HAU, Hisar

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v95i11.165899

Keywords:

GPS, Soil testing, Palwal, Fertility map, Macronutrients

Abstract

Understanding the spatial variability of soil fertility is crucial for effective site-specific nutrient management and making precise fertilizer recommendations. To assess and map the soil fertility status (focusing on NPK) across different blocks of Palwal District, Haryana, this study was conducted using advanced GIS technique. A total of 228 geo-referenced soil samples were collected from the district at a depth of 0-15 cm, using GPS for precise location data. These samples were analysed for nutrient content, and thematic maps were created based on nutrient ratings for available soil NPK. The results of the soil fertility mapping revealed that approximately 64 and 45 per cent of the studied area falls into the high fertility category (PK, respectively), while 3, 24 and 50 per cent is categorized as medium fertility (NPK, respectively). Not a single sample recorded a higher nitrogen status in the district. However, 97, 12 and 5 per cent of the area was identified as having low nutrient availability (NPK, respectively), indicating nutrient deficiency. Based on this comprehensive soil fertility appraisal, a nutrient management plan tailored to the needs of various crops can be developed for each village, ensuring that specific nutrient requirements are met and enabling optimized agricultural practices for improved productivity in the district.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

  • Ankush Dhanda, CCS HAU, Hisar

    Dr Ankush Dhanda

    Assistant Scientist

    Department of Soil Science

References

Arrouays, D., Mulder, V.L. and Richer-de-Forges, A.C., 2021. Soil mapping, digital soil mapping and soil monitoring over large areas and the dimensions of soil security–A review. Soil Security, 5, p.100018.

Barrow, N.J. and Debnath, A., 2014. Effect of phosphate status on the sorption and desorption properties of some soils of northern India. Plant and Soil, 378, pp.383-395.

Brar, B.S., 2022. Build-up and utilization of phosphorus with continues fertilization in maize-wheat cropping sequence. Field Crops Research, 276, p.108389.

Creamer, R.E., Barel, J.M., Bongiorno, G. and Zwetsloot, M.J., 2022. The life of soils: Integrating the who and how of multifunctionality. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 166, p.108561.

Das, B.S., Wani, S.P., Benbi, D.K., Muddu, S., Bhattacharyya, T., Mandal, B., Santra, P., Chakraborty, D., Bhattacharyya, R., Basak, N. and Reddy, N.N., 2022. Soil health and its relationship with food security and human health to meet the sustainable development goals in India. Soil Security, 8, p.100071.

Das, D., Dwivedi, B.S., Datta, S.P., Datta, S.C., Meena, M.C., Dwivedi, A.K., Singh, M., Singh, V.K., Chakraborty, D. and Jaggi, S., 2019. Long-term fertilization effects on soil potassium and crop yields in a Vertisol. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 89(7), pp.1086-90.

Eswar, D., Karuppusamy, R. and Chellamuthu, S., 2021. Drivers of soil salinity and their correlation with climate change. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 50, pp.310-318.

Evangelista, S.J., Field, D.J., McBratney, A.B., Minasny, B., Ng, W., Padarian, J., Dobarco, M.R. and Wadoux, A.M.C., 2023. A proposal for the assessment of soil security: Soil functions, soil services and threats to soil. Soil Security, 10, p.100086.

Giordano, M., Petropoulos, S.A. and Rouphael, Y., 2021. The fate of nitrogen from soil to plants: Influence of agricultural practices in modern agriculture. Agriculture, 11(10), p.944.

Gupta, G.S., 2019. Land degradation and challenges of food security. Review of European Studies 11, p.63.

Jackson, M.L. (1973) Soil Chemical Analysis. Prentice hall of India (Pvt.) Ltd., New Delhi.

Mitran, T., Meena, R.S. and Chakraborty, A., 2021. Geospatial technologies for crops and soils: an overview. Geospatial technologies for crops and soils, pp.1-48.

Moharana, P.C. and Dharumarajan, S., 2022. Digital soil mapping for precise land management. Indian Farming, 72(5).

Olsen, S.R., Cole, C.V., Watanabe, P.S. and Dean, L.A. (1954) Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. United States Department of Agriculture Circular No. 939.

Ramamoorthy, B. and Bajaj, J.C. (1969) Available N, P and K status of Indian soils. Fertiliser News 14, 24-26.

Richiedei, A., Giuliani, M. and Pezzagno, M., 2024. Unveiling the Soil beyond Definitions: A Holistic Framework for Sub-Regional Soil Quality Assessment and Spatial Planning. Sustainability, 16(14), p.6075.

Sehgal, J. and Abrol, I.P. (1994) Soil degradation in India: Status and impact. New Delhi, India, Oxford and IBH, 80p.

Singh, S., and Singh, V. 2022. Nutrient management in salt affected soils for sustainable crop production. Ann. Plant Soil Res, 24, pp.182-193.

Subbiah, B.V. and Asija, G.L. (1956) A rapid procedure for estimation of available nitrogen in soils. Current. Science 25, 259-260.

Sur, P., Mandal, M. and Das, D.K., 2010. Effect of integrated nutrient management on soil fertility and organic carbon in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) growing soils. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 80(8), p.695.

Walkley A. and Black, I.A. (1934) An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science 37, 29-38.

Submitted

2025-03-12

Published

2025-11-19

How to Cite

Dhanda, A. (2025). Soil Fertility Appraisal for Palwal District of Haryana Using Geospatial Tools. The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 95(11). https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v95i11.165899
Citation