Soil properties in relation to available nutrient status under different land use systems in hilly region of Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir

Four different land use systems were selected from Poonch district and soil samples were collected and analyzed. The macro nutrient content in soils varied widely under different land uses. The available N was in range of 243.98 to 398.89 kg ha⁻¹ which was in low to medium category while soil available K status was in medium to suffice range of 127.00 to 324.96 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. Available P content was slightly low to medium in range of 8.19 to 18.70 kg ha⁻¹. Soil available micronutrients under different land use systems were in sufficient amounts with regard to the availability. The ranges for micronutrients varied, Zn (1.04–6.48 mg kg⁻¹), Cu (0.94–5.04 mg kg⁻¹), Mn (11.15–30.53 mg kg⁻¹) and (4.31–29.41 mg kg⁻¹). The soil pH was significantly negatively correlated with Cu (r = -0.281**), Mn (−0.405**), Fe (−0.357**) while significantly positive correlation was observed with available Zn and Cu (r = 0.412** and 0.266*) and organic carbon. Nitrogen and potassium content were found positively correlated with organic carbon (r = 0.446** and 0.308*) content. The clay content was positive and negative significant correlation with Fe and potassium (r = 0.391** and -0.475).