Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

GPS AND GIS BASED SOIL FERTILITY MAPS OF BHADRAK DISTRICT OF ODISHA, INDIA

Antaryami Mishra, Dibyendu Das, Subhashis Saren and P. Dey

Abstract

A detailed soil fertility inventory study was carried out in Bhadrak district of Odisha during 2012-13 using the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) tools. Geo-referenced soil samples were collected from the different villages in each blocks of the district. Soil samples were processed and analysed in laboratory for pH, EC, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and boron. The results reveal that soils of all the blocks were found to be acidic (4.9 to 5.2) in reaction and medium to high in organic carbon content (6.1 to 9.4 g kg-1). Available soil nitrogen content was low (148.9 to 190.7 kg N ha-1), available soil phosphorus content was low to medium (3.7 to 17.8 kg P ha-1) whereas, available soil potassium content was medium to high (178.9 to 484.3 kg K ha-1). On the other hand, available sulphur was found to be deficient in some blocks and sufficient in other blocks of the district (8.04 to 32.86 mg S kg-1). Hot water soluble boron content remained above the critical limits (0.57 to 1.03 mg kg-1) in all the blocks. The soil fertility maps of Bhadrak district were prepared by using the Arc GIS software. The generated data and maps are very useful for planning, monitoring and evaluation of soil fertility status for sustainable crop production.