Soil Fertility Characterization of Mandh Watershed in Mid Hills Sub-Humid Zone of Himachal Pradesh

Surface soil samples (015 cm) from six cultivated soil series viz., Patti, Majhenu, Tikkar, Sun, Daramman and Kotlu of Mandh watershed were analyzed for available N, P, K and micronutrient cations. At subgroup level, these soils belong to Typic Udorthents, Typic Dystrudepts, Typic Paleudalfs and Typic Hapludalfs. The soil texture, pH, organic carbon, CEC and base saturation of these soils varied from loamy skeletal to fine silty, 5.2 to 6.4, 0.52 to 1.48%, 7.6 to 12.2 cmol (p+) kg^-1 and 48 to 62%, respectively. Available N, P and K status was low to high, low to medium and low to high, respectively. DTPA extractable Fe, Mn and Cu were sufficient in all soil series, available zinc, however, was found to be deficient to extent of 20 to 75 per cent in Kotlu and Sun series. The data on vertical distribution of nutrients revealed that surface soils registered higher available N and P contents compared to subsurface soils whereas, reverse trend was obtained with available K. To balance available contents, doses of N and P should be lowered by 25% of the recommended dose and for K it should be increased by 25 per cent. There was an irregular trend of distribution of micronutrient cations with depth. Zn deficiency was noticed in three soil series viz, Kotlu, Daramman and Sun to the extent of 20, 50, and 75 per cent, respectively. Therefore, to correct Zn deficiency in the study area, application of Zn@25kg/ha is suggested. Thus, it is inferred that the fertilizer recommendations should be based on soil test values, fertilizer schedule should be based on whole crop sequence instead of single crop, balanced fertilization and micronutrient deficiencies should be corrected as and when required.