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D. VASU*, S.K. SINGH, V.P. DURAISAMI, A. JANGIR AND P.S. BUTTE
ICAR – National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur – 440 033
Georeferenced surface soil samples (0-15 cm) collected from cotton growing fields of Thimmajipet mandal in Mahabubnagar district were analysed for pH, EC, organic carbon (OC), macronutrients (N, P, K, and S) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn). The soils were slightly to moderately alkaline, non-saline, low to medium in organic carbon, low in available N and medium to high in available P and K. High correlation between organic carbon and available nitrogen indicated that semi-arid climate induced oxidation coupled with limited litter addition led to poor accumulation of organic carbon in soils, in turn caused N deficiency, predominantly under rainfed conditions. Moreover, zinc and boron were deficient in 73 and 52 per cent of the soils, respectively, due to high pH in the soils. Integrated nutrient management with foliar application of deficient micronutrients could be viable option for enhancing cotton productivity.
Cotton growing soils, organic carbon, soil alkalinity, soil fertility.