Soil fertility assessment and mapping of chungbang farm, Pakhribas, Dhankuta, Nepal

Abstract


\n\tSoil fertility evaluation is a basic factor for sustainable planning of a particular area. Thus, a study was done to assess the soil fertility status of the Chungbang farm, Pakhribas, Dhankuta, Nepal. The farm is situated at the latitude 27.00739°N and longitude 87.25894°E as well altitude 1176masl. The total 27 soil samples were collected randomly at a depth of 0-20 cm by using soil sampling auger. A GPS device was used for determination of geographical position of soil sampling points. The collected samples were analyzed for their texture, pH, OM, N, P2O5, K2O, Ca, Mg, S, B, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn status following standard analytical methods in the laboratory of Soil Science Division, Khumaltar. The Arc-GIS 10.1 software was used for the preparation of soil fertility maps. The observed data revealed that structure was granular and sub-angular blocky, whereas colour were yellowish brown and brown. The sand, silt and clay content were 59.25±1.01%, 27.41±0.83% and 13.34±0.38%, respectively and categorized as sandy loam in texture. The soil was very acidic in pH (4.75±0.07) and very low in available boron (0.21±0.05mg/kg), available sulphur (1.22±0.34mg/kg) and available zinc (0.20±0.02mg/kg). The organic matter (1.32±0.13%), total nitrogen (0.08±0.004%) and available calcium (512.5±36.3mg/kg) were low in status. Similarly, available potassium (104.1±12mg/kg) and available magnesium (66.27±7.33mg/kg) were medium in status. Consequently, the available iron (20.59±2.91mg/kg) was high, while available phosphorus (54.88±7.19mg/kg), available copper (2.96±0.62mg/kg) and available manganese (31.19±2.94mg/kg) were very high in status. The determined soil test data can be used for sustainable soil management as well as developing future research strategy in the farm.
\n
\n\t