Characterization of lowland acid soils for secondary nutrients in central parts of western ghats

The present investigation was made to study the “Characterization of lowland acid soils for secondary nutrients in hilly zone of Karnataka.” Soil samples were collected from the Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru districts of the hilly zone of Karnataka to know the status of secondary nutrients, along with different forms of soil acidity were also analyzed. Soils of the Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru districts are moderately acidic to neutral in soil reaction, ranging from 5.16 to 6.97. EC values of all the soil samples grouped under the non-saline (< 2.0 dSm^-1) class. Organic carbon content low to high ranged from 4.12 to 22.90 g kg^-1, and the Cation exchange capacity of soils ranged from 10.60 to 26.90 cmol (p⁺) kg-1, respectively. Potential acidity appears to be a dominant fraction in the soil which includes both exchangeable and pHdependent acidity. However, their distribution in soil was found to be in the following order, viz., Potential acidity > Exchangeable acidity > Active acidity. Available calcium in soil was high, ranged 4.30 to 16.00 cmol(p⁺)kg^-1. Available magnesium in soil ranged from 2.00 to 9.80 cmol (p⁺) kg^-1. Available sulphur in soil was medium to high, ranging from 9.40 to 22.90 mg kg . High rainfall in Karnataka causes the hilly region's soils to become acidic, which makes growing crops difficult. Farmers are using liming material in uplands to combat this. Due to heavy rains and the leaching of highly mobile secondary nutrients from upland areas, paddy fields on lower slopes get accumulated.