Abstract
Physico-chemical properties and fertility status of soils of Peshawar and Charsadda districts of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan were evaluated for better management. Soil samples were collected from two depths, 0-15 and 15-45 cm from 88 locations in Peshawar and 79 locations from Charsadda district during 2004 on a grid system using Global Positioning System (GPS). Results showed that physico-chemical properties and fertility status of the sampled area varied at large. Soils of Peshawar varied from silt to silty clay loam at both depths with saturation percentage from 15.1 to 62.1 in surface soil. Soil pH was alkaline in both the depths ranging from 7.67 to 8.60 with ECe ranging from 1.69 to 6.98 dS m-1. All soils were moderate to strongly calcareous with < 1% organic matter in 12% samples. Regarding plant nutrients, mineral N was found deficient in all surface soils, P was deficient in 8% and marginal in 23% samples in the surface, and K was deficient in 9% samples in lower depth. Similarly, Zn was deficient in 36 and 56% and Mn in 9 and 10% in surface and subsurface soils, respectively. Iron was found deficient in 4% sub soils. Copper was found adequate in both the depths. Boron was deficient in 63 and 82% soils in the surface and subsoil, respectively. In Charsadda district, soil texture in both the depths varied from silt to sandy loam with saturation percentage from 22.0 to 34.0 in surface soil. Soil pH was alkaline in both depths with 90% of soils as saline. Soils were slightly to strongly calcareous with organic matter < 2% in surface soils. Regarding plant nutrients, mineral N was found deficient in all surface soils, P in 44 and 72% in surface and sub surface, respectively and K in only 2% in subsoil. Zinc content of soils was deficient in 92 and 96% and Mn in 8 and 9% in surface and sub surface soils, respectively. Copper was deficient in 4 and 5% samples of surface and subsoil with none in Fe content. Boron deficiency was observed in 41% of surface and 46% in subsoil.
M. Rashid, A.U. Bhatti, , F. Khan* , Wasiullah. (2008) Physico-chemical properties and fertility status of soils of districts Peshawar and Charsadda, The Journal Soil & Environment , Volume 27, Issue 2.
-
Views
373 -
Downloads
3
Next Article
