Distribution and Indexation of Plant Available Nutrients of District Layyah, Punjab Pakistan

Abstract

During last five years 2008-09 to 2012-13, a study was conducted to assess the fertility and salinity/sodicity status of district Layyah for the provision of guidelines to farmers and researchers for better crop production. Representative soil samples received/collected from farmers' fields were analyzed for texture, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, organic matter (O.M) and available phosphorus (P). A total of 31032 soil samples were collected from all tehsils of Layyah district, (15768 samples from tehsil Layyah, 7650 from Karor Lal Eisen, and 7614 from Chaubara). These soil samples were tested in Soil and Water Testing Laboratory Layyah and fertilizer recommendations were served to farmers according to soil and crop. The results showed that, soil texture of 91.18% soil samples was sandy loam (light), 8.53% loam (medium) and 0.29% clayey (heavy). About 99.42% soil samples had EC values within the normal range (< 4 dS m -1) while 0.68% had (> 4 dS m -1). The pH of 88.43% soil samples was up to 8.5 whereas 11.57% had >8.5. Organic matter content of 94.20% soil sample was poor (<0.86%), 5.25% medium (0.86-1.29%) and only 0.55% adequate (>1.29%). Available phosphorus of 67.75% soil sample was poor, (<7 mg kg -1), 25.00% medium (7.1-14 mg kg -1) while only 7.25% adequate (>14 mg kg -1). Awareness camps, rallies and training programmes can be arranged for farmers regarding the benefits of soil and water testing, balanced use of chemical fertilizers and use of organic agriculture in crop production in improving soil fertility and nutrition status.