Soil management zones of kaithal farmer first villages

Abstract

Farm level recommendations in salt affected agricultural landscapes is practically difficult due to spatial variations in soil salinity, diverse farming situations and associated ownership of large landholders with small-scale production systems. Spatial array analysis of 354 geo-referenced soil samples collected from salt affected Ghaghar basin of kaithal villages, India revealed widespread heterogeneity in soil sodicity and fertility parameters. Six principal components (electrical conductivity; sodium adsorption ratio; DTPA extractable copper and boron; soil organic carbon and available phosphorus) with eigenvalues>1 accounted for 73% of the total variability and were used to develop the soil quality index (SQI). Geostatistical analysis revealed Gaussian (ECe), Spherical (SAR), K-Bessel (Cu and B), Circular (OC) and Exponential (P) as the best fit semivariogram models with weak to moderate spatial dependence. Three soil management zones (SMZs) were delineated by grouping the entire area based on SQI. Fertilizer recommendation of rice-wheat cropping system in different SMZs was calculated using soil test crop response (STCR) equation of similar climatic condition and soil types will help in balanced fertilization and resource saving. Gypsum requirement map was delivered to the farmers for precise allocation, distribution and application of mineral gypsum for reclamation of sodic lands. The information generated herein highlighted zone-wise systematic requirement of mineral gypsum as soil ameliorant for reclamation of sodic soils and advocating balanced fertilization with higher use efficiency in irrigated semiarid regions of India and similar environments.