Available macronutrient status in soil profiles of Kathua district in relation to biosequences

Available nutrient status both primary-N, P and K as well as secondary-Ca, Mg and S was determined in soils of Kathua District, Jammu Region, Jammu and Kashmir State, in relation to biosequences like cultivated lands, forest lands and grass lands. The results evinced a wide variability not only in soil profiles of different biosequences but also within the soil profiles of each of the biosequences. Based on mean weighted averages, the soils of forest lands showed more deficiency of N and K than those of cultivated and grass lands. However, available P content showed least deficiency in soils of all of the biosequences under study. Available Ca was found quite sufficient in all soil profiles, whereas available Mg showed sufficiency in majority of the soil profiles except those falling under grass lands. In case of available S, the deficiency was found in all soil profiles of various biosequences. Organic carbon (OC), total N and C: N ratio was greater in soils of grass lands as compared to the soils of other biosequences. Low C: N ratio in soils of cultivated lands signified their high biological activity and advanced stage of organic matter decomposition. Amount of clay, cation exchange capacity and organic matter content have been found to be the dominant factors in influencing the studied available nutrients in the soils of the present study.