Status of Available Zinc as Related to Soil Characteristics of Madurai, Tamil Nadu Using GIS Techniques

The extent of soil available Zinc (Zn) status was delineated in Madurai district by analysing geo referenced surface soil samples from 13 blocks. The GPS data was analysed both statistically and geostatistically on the basis of semivariogram. The analytical results are combined with GPS data for making regionalized nutrient status map at block level. Locations of sampling sites were marked on the base maps and digitized using Arc-GIS software, to give thesite specific nutrient status and also helpful in monitoring changes in the nutrient status over a change of time. The spatial distribution of pH, EC, Organic Carbon (OC), free CaCO₃ and available zinc was estimated using Kriging Interpolation. The outcome says that the zinc level ranges from 0.80 to 0.11 mg kg⁻¹. This status indicates that 77.44% of the soils were deficient in soil available zinc.