Fertility Evaluation of Temperate Farm Soils of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Doda in NW Himalayas, India

Fertility evaluation of farm soils of KVK Doda of SKUAST-Jammu (J available S, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu and B varied from 2.15 to 17.23, 6.93 to 55.40, 4.0 to 19.60, 0.16 to 2.48, 0.42 to 4.34 and 0.07 to 0.74 mg/kg, respectively. As per NI values, these soils fell in high category of available Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu; medium category of available N, P, K and B: and low category of available S. Soil pH was significantly and negatively correlated with OC, EC, available N, P, Mn and Fe. Soil EC had significant positive correlation with OC, available N, P, K, S, Mn, Fe and Zn. Further, OC and available N showed significant positive correlation with each other as well as with available S, Mn, Fe and Zn. Available P showed strong synergistic relationships with available K and Mn. Also, available K, S and Mn were significantly positively correlated with each other. Further, available Zn was also significantly positively correlated to available K, Mn and B while its correlation with available Cu was significantly negative. Available Fe was significantly and positively correlated to available S and Mn. Regression analysis indicated 97.7% contribution of OC towards total variability in available N. About 67 and 33% of total variability in available P and S, in order, could be attributed to OC and EC together; while nearly 46% of that in available Fe could be attributed to pH and OC together. Nearly 34 and 57% of total variability in available Zn and K, in order, could be attributed to pH and EC together. EC alone could explain about 60% of total variability in available Mn.