Potassium fraction and their availability in potato growing soils of Ballia District, U.P

Abstract

Potato growing surface soil samples were collected form three village of every three block viz. Bansdih, Reoti and Sohaon for analysis of soil fertility parameters and fraction of potassium. Potato growing surface soil samples of different village resulted soil pH was greater in Bansdih block followed by Sohaon and Reoti block with the range of 6.9-7.4, soil EC ranged from 1.02 – 1.04 had not much more varied in all village. Bulk density of soils of Bansdih block was lower than other block soils, water holding capacity of soil was greater in Reoti block as compared to Bansdih and Sohaon block's soil. The greater (0.34 – 0.86 %) amount organic carbon was observed in Bansdih block’s followed by Sohaon and Reoti block. Exchangeable Ca ranged from 7.2-10.0, Mg ranged from 7.5 to 11.0 and CaCO3 was ranged from 0.29 to 0.49 % in soil of Sohaon block. The available nitrogen value was ranged from 254.3 to 319.0 kg/ha in soils of all three blocks. Similarly available phosphorus (17.2-21.9 kg/ha) and available potassium (268-649.3 kg/ha) in surface soil were shows in considerable range in the different villages of all three blocks. Available sulphur (2.98-6.12 mg/kg soil) was also alarming in the soil of all blocks. Total potassium was ranged from 1784-2728 kg/ha, water soluble potassium was ranged from 151.2 – 362.4 kg/ha, reserve potassium content was ranged from 192.64 - 327.6 kg/ha, NaCl extractable K was 64.8 – 229.6 kg/ha, CaCl2 extractable K was ranged from 128.8-358.7 kg/ha and ammonium acetate extractable K was ranged from 268-649.3 kg/ha, respectively in different villages of all three blocks.