SOIL PRIMARY NUTRITIONAL CONSTRAINTS IN POMEGRANATE GROWING FIELDS FROM SATANA TEHSIL OF NASHIK DISTRICT, INDIAS.J. Mahire, P.M. Nalawade and P.N. KambleAbstract Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium are the fundamental macronutrients in soil which can be a major influence on plant growth and development. In order to accelerate growth of crops and increase yield, the soil must have sufficient levels of N, P, and K. It becomes important to evaluate the N, P, and K proportions of various soils before growing crops which helps the farmers to minimize their expenses. Thus, with this view, soil samples from Satana Tehsil of Nashik District were collected by visiting 15 pomegranate cultivated fields to analyse pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Organic Carbon (OC), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K). Such type of soil sample analysisis beneficial to understand the concentration of various parameters present in the soil so that appropriate measures can be taken to maintain or improve the soil quality. It is observed from the above study that, soil of the selected area had pH in the range neutral to slightly alkaline and EC below 1.0 mmhos/cm both these parameters were found within tolerable limit for pomegranate cultivation. OC content was observed in low to medium range. Soil nutrient status indicated that P was the most limiting nutrient, followed by N. Higher K content was found in very few orchards (20.0 %). The studies reveal that, primary nutrients to the soil should be supplied in a balanced ratio, and the organics should be applied on a regular basis to preserve soil health. |