The physico - chemical characteristics and fertility status of soils of Amritsar district of Punjab

The investigation was carried out to assess the physico-chemical characteristics and fertility status of the soils, by collecting 90 surface (0–15 cm) soil samples from each of the 16 development blocks of Amritsar district. The soil samples were analyzed for texture, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available phosphorus and available potassium. Soils of the district are mainly loam in texture, normal to alkaline in pH and normal in salt concentration. In general, the nitrogen supplying capacity as indicated by organic carbon status and available phosphorus status of the soil varies from low to medium and available potassium status from medium to high. Low N, P and K status was found in 62, 58 and 6% soils of Amritsar district, respectively. On the basis of available data and taking development blocks as a unit, soil fertility maps has been prepared for all the three nutrients separately as a ready reference.