Assessment of Village-wise Soil Nutrients and their Effect on Sugarcane Productivity in Western Maharashtra, India

Abstract

: Soil fertility needs to be assessed to develop strategies for long-term agricultural productivity. A study has been undertaken at Shirol tehsil, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra state, India to evaluate the fertility status of soil using nutrient index approach. For the present study PH, organic carbon, and EC were chosen as potential markers of soil quality along with primary nutrient potash and phosphrous. Objectives of this research are i)To provide nutrient availability index, ii) To assess soil fertility status and sugarcane productivity in the study area. Based on the soil parameters analysis, it is found that the soil is fertile. Sugarcane is the most cultivated crop in this area and the productivity of sugarcane is observed to be higher in study area as compared to national productivity. The nutrient index values for PH, Organic carbon and Phosphorous were normal, EC was low, and Potash was high. It is also observed that all ten years of study potash is high. Productivity change as well as nutrient values change over a period of time tested with standard t- test approach.