Assessment and spatial mapping of soil fertility status in rice-growing soils of Manjeera command area, Sangareddy district, Telangana

A soil-crop nutrient survey was conducted in Manjeera flowing area of Sangareddy district, Telangana during Rabi, 2024 to study the fertility status of Rice growing soils. Georeferenced soil samples were collected from 100 sites covering 9 mandals during flowering stage. Soil physical and physico-chemical properties were analysed. In the study area, sand, silt and clay content ranged from, 2.86-91.08%, 2.00-59.65% and 6.08-58.36%, respectively. The soils were strongly acidic to slightly alkaline in reaction (5.24-8.30), non-saline (0.01-2.54 dS m-1) and low to medium in organic carbon (2.08 to 5.84 g kg-1). Soil Nutrient Status: Available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium contents ranged from 113.40 to 252.00 kg ha-1, 3.18 to 73.80 kg ha-1, 79.49 to 497.91 kg ha-1 respectively. Soil Fertility Mapping: Soil fertility maps were prepared considering the low/deficient, medium and high/sufficient range of surface soil macronutrients (N, P and K) under QGIS 3.40.8. Soil fertility maps showed that soils of the study area were mostly low in available nitrogen, low to high in available phosphorus and low to high in available potassium. Regular soil testing is crucial to monitor the variations in nutrient levels and formulation of appropriate management strategies to address it.