Civil Engineering / Environmental / Architecture / Planning Session:

Title:            Study of Fertilizer effect on soil status in and around Loni, Maharashtra, India
Authors:       V. M. Natraj, Deekasha Katyal
Abstract:     The study area is a part of Pravara left bank canal commandpredominantly agricultural. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are continuously being applied to agricultural fields for past many years boosting the agricultural yield and increasing chemical fertilizerconsumption. Assured availability of water from canal has led to over irrigate the fields. The requirement of agricultural product (sugarcane, bajra, vegetables, food & fodder for animals) to cater to the domestic and industrial needs, have made farmers to use fertilizer and pesticide beyond the prescribed dosage. Soil analysis is carried out in the villages of Loni, Adgaon, Chinchpur, Sadatpur, Gogalgaon, falling in Taluka of Rahata &Sangamneer. The soil pH varied between from 7.46 to 8.9 and soil was found to be moderatealkaline. The soil is found to be free from salt accumulation.Organic carbon in soil was found to vary from moderate to very low indicating the need for improving the soil fertility. Available Nitrogen was found to be low in about 80% of soil sample, indicating lack of nitrogen status and the need for adequate application of nitrogenous fertilizer.50% of the sample tested revealed very low Available Phosphorous content, remaining with moderate to low content. More than 80% of soil sample showed high value of Available Potassiumas high as 963.2kg/ha, remaining have moderate to low values. Micronutrients, Zn,Cu, had moderate to low value and Fe showed very low value, but about 48% of sample had Mn higher value. This nature of micronutrients may probably due to the moderate alkali value in the soil Groundwater studies in the region have shown growing alkalinity, Nitrates and other fertilizer and pesticide residue in the water. The growing soil contamination can lead to further deterioration of groundwaterquality, which needs to be controlled through controlled application of water and application biofertilizer, organic manure.

Keywords:   Chemical Fertilizer, soil analysis,soil fertility,soil pH,Organic carbon, available Nitrogen,available Phosphorous,available Potassium, Micronutrient, groundwater
Pages:           188-192

Download Full Paper