Availability of NPKS in some Inceptisols and Mollisols as related with soil characteristics

PEEYUSH MISHRA, S.K.SINGH, P. C. SRIVASTAVA and SOBARAN SINGH

Department of Soil Science,

College of Agriculture,

 G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology,

Pantnagar-263 145 (U.S. Nagar, Uttarakhand)

ABSTRACT

Distribution of available N, P, K and S in soils was studied in relation to soil properties. Results showed that soil pH ranged from 5.61 to 8.28, EC 0.18 to 2.08 dSm^-1, CaCO₃ 0.20 to 0.80%, CEC 8.03 to 21.80 c mol (p⁺) kg^-1 and organic carbon 0.39 to1.65 %. Available N, P, K and S contents ranged from 84 to 438, 21 to 113, 102 to 210 and 19 to 113 kg ha^-1, respectively. Maximum concentration was recorded in surface soil and in general it decreased with depth. Soil pH showed significant negative correlation with available N and P while it was positively correlated with available K and S. Organic carbon was significantly and positively correlated with available N, P, K and S.  Cation exchange capacity showed a significant positive correlation with available N, K and S. Thus, a definite role of soil properties in supplying plant nutrients is indicated.