Fertility Status of the Unique Coastal Acid Saline Soils of Goa

Abstract

To study the fertility status of coastal saline soils of Goa (locally called ‘Khazan’) global positioning system based soil samples were collected from two districts of Goa. Three replicate samples per location were collected. In general, the soils had acidic soil reaction (pH ≤ 6.57). Electrical conductivity of the soils varied from 0.09 dS m-1 to 6.29 dS m-1. Exchangeable sodium was the most dominant cation among all the cations and resulted in ESP ranging from 48.3%-84.5%. Unlike other parts of salt-affected soils in the country, this is a unique situation where acidity and salinity occur simultaneously. Soils were found deficient in soil available nitrogen (N) (104 to 150 kg ha-1) and low to medium in soil available phosphorus (P) (1.94 to 20.0 kg ha-1) and medium to high in soil available potassium (K) (126 to 1588 kg ha-1), respectively. Soil available micronutrients status was found in sufficiency ranges. The results of the study showed conducive fertility status of soils for plant growth, but acidity and salinity exerts a stress resulting in poor crop productivity. The preliminary information could be useful for deciding the management practices to overcome poor physical condition of the soils, deciding nutrient management practices and achieving higher crop productivity.