Homogeneous soil fertility mapping through GIS for site specific nutrient management by QUEFTS model

Site specific nutrient management is essential to arrest land degradation and recover soil fertility and productivity as well as to reduce vulnerability of food production system to climate change. To address this issue, homogenous soil fertility map was generated for Karnal district, one of the important contributors to the food bowl (Indo-Gangetic Plain) of South Asia, by using geographic information system (GIS). Eight homogeneous soil fertility units were identified on the basis of organic carbon (OC) content, available phosphorus and potassium status in the soils. For each of the homogenous soil fertility units, optimum dose of fertilizer was worked out by simulation of QUEFTS model for targeted yields of rice (6.5 t ha⁻¹), wheat (6 t ha⁻¹) and maize (6.5 t ha⁻¹) crops.