Abstract

Surface and subsurface soil samples of Muzaffarnagar district were collected to characterize their chemical properties and accordingly to develop optimum land use plan to realize maximum agricultural productivity. The pH value of study area varied from 6.02 to 8.39 and 6.35 to 8.50 for surface and sub surface, respectively, electrical conductivity from 0.069 to 0.390 and 0.073 to 1.10 dSm^-1, organic matter content 7.241 to 15.221 and 3.695 to 10.179 g kg^-1, available nitrogen (N) 131.53 to 348.97 and 99.32 to 217.44 kg ha^-1, Phosphorus (P) 15.67 to 52.61 and 11.17 to 45.40 P₂O₅ kg ha^-1, potassium (K) 79.16 to 436.8 and 47.04 to 399.84 K₂O kg ha^-1for surface (0-15 cm ) and subsurface soil (15-30 cm). Cationic micronutrients Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn varied from 1.636 to 6.164, 1.024 to 4.282, 0.672 to 5.802 and 0.332 to 2.652, and 113.13 to 11.232, 10.33 to 79.326, 10.272 to 38.572 and 29.578 to 77.882 mg kg^-1 in surface (0 -15 cm) and subsurface soil (15-30 cm) respectively. As per soil nutrient index (SNI), the soils of study area were found in low fertility category for nitrogen and medium with respect to phosphorus and potassium. A positive and significant correlation of NPK and micronutrients was found with organic matter content while significant and negative correlations exist between micronutrients and soil pH.

Key word: Soil fertility, organic matter, NPK, micronutrients, surface soil, soil nutrient index.