Vol. 11, Issue 4 (2022)

Author(s):
K Sivakumar, M Nivas Raj, S Venkatesan, P Gayathri and S Pazhanivelan

Abstract:
An investigation was conducted in Madathukkulam block to determine the soil nutrient status and to generate cadastral level soil fertility maps. The total geographical area of the block is 14,994.11 ha and it lies between 10° 66' 12" and 10° 61' 77" N latitude and 77° 32' 17" and 77° 34' 12" E longitudes. The average rainfall of this region is 700 mm. Based on the soil analysis, fertility maps were generated at scale 1:5000 using ArcGIS. Based on the surface soil samples collected and analysed, the digital soil nutrient maps at village level were generated by geocoding the nutrient database by the survey points collected and by using geostatistical approach (Kriging). Madathukkulam block was found to have low nitrogen (< 280 kg ha^-1) and medium soil available phosphorus (11-22 kg ha^-1). The available K values were of high category (> 225 kg ha^-1). A plan for improving the fertility status of the area under agriculture in this block by way of suggesting different strategies can be developed for sustenance of agriculture, improving crop productivity and the profitability for the farmers in this region with the help of cadastral level nutrient mapping.