Changes in Soil Fertility Under Long-term Cultivation of Fodder Crops and Grasses

Soil fertility of the area under forage crops and grasses was evaluated with usual soil testing procedures in the year 1972 and the results were compared with the earlier data at 1965. During this seven year period, soils under intensive fodder cultivation have become poorer in avail. N in spite of application of N fertilizers and avail. K status has also declined. Soils under natural grasslands, as well as, cultivated pastures maintained their fertility status with respect to N and K while they become richer in P. Thus, it is expected that those lands which are under grasses for a longer period are liable to improve in fertility.