EMERGENT LIFE SCIENCES RESEARCH - Vol 5, Issue 2, Published on 31, December 2019

Pages: 43-51
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Soil nutrient status of mulberry gardens in varied clusters of Andhra Pradesh

Author: B. Vijaya Naidu, V. Sobhana, P. Sudhakar, Sibayan Sen, N. Obulapathi, M. V. Sneha, Pankaj Tiwari

Category: Research Article

Abstract:

Intensive cropping systems have led to an increase in the demand of the crucial nutrients in the soil. Thus, addition of essential inorganic and inorganic nutrients to attain the coveted soil status is necessary for the sustainable leaf production in mulberry. This study was conducted on a total of 1472 soil samples from conventional sericultural regions present in 8 districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. The soils were subjected to the chemical analysis to determine their soil reaction, salinity, and nutrient status including pH, EC, OC, available macro (N, P and K) and micro (S) nutrients. The perusal of the results indicated that out of the received soils, soil pH was recorded at desired levels (6.5-75) in 58% soils, low (<6.5) in 8% soils and high (>7.5) in 33% soils. Most of the cluster soils (99%) showed an ideal range of soluble salts (<1.0 dS/m). Organic carbon (OC) was low in 74% soils (<0.65%), medium (0.65-1.0%) in 21% and high (>1.0%) in only 5% soils. In case of essential macronutrients, available Nitrogen (N) recorded low in 50% soils (<250kg/ha), desired level in 37% (250-500kg/ha) and registered high (>500kg/ha) in only 13% soils. Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) were recorded high, >25kg/ha and >224kg/ha in 52% and 54% soils, medium level, 10-25kg/ha and 110-224kg/ha in 21 and 37%; whereas low, <10kg and <110kg/ha in 26% and 9% soils, respectively. In case of micronutrient sulphur (S), 61% of the cluster soils were registered rich in sulphur (>15ppm/ha), 25% showed the admissible range (10-15ppm/ha) whereas only 14% soils were recorded with low levels of S (<10ppm/ha) indicating that most of the cluster soils are rich in sulphur.

Keywords: leaf production, mulberry, organic carbon, soil analysis, soil fertility

DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.31783/elsr.2019.524351