Fertility Status of Soils under Different Land Uses in Lesser Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh

The study was conducted to assess the soil fertility status of Lesser Himalayan region based on ninety five representative surface soil samples collected by systematic sampling methodology using GPS points to represent the cultivated soils (Entisols, Alfisols and Inceptisols) under major land use of Lesser Himalayan region. Out of 95 sites, 44, 38 and 13 sites represent the cultivated Entisols, Inceptisols and Alfisols, while 29, 22, 15, 15 and 14 sites represent the soils under maize-wheat, paddy-wheat, vegetables, tea gardens and orchards, respectively. Soils were medium in available N & K, low in available P & S, high in available Ca & Mg, sufficient in available Cu, Fe & Mn and deficient to sufficient in available Zn. As regards available nutrient status, Four nutrients viz., N, P, S and Zn were deficient to the extent of 11, 45, 30 and 34 per cent, respectively.