Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
K Prabhavathi, GS Dasog, KL Sahrawat, SP Wani and G Suresh Reddy

Abstract:
The Belgaum district is located east of the Western Ghats and is situated in the northwestern part of Karnataka state. The Khanapur micro-watershed (4D7C9L1c) was selected representing the Hilly agro-climatic zone (zone 9) of the district. A total of 60 surface samples in the Khanapur micro-watershed were thus collected from the sample points fixed by imposing grids at 10” interval on the selected micro-watershed and analysed for chemical characteristics and fertility status. Forest occupy an area of 151.20 ha which accounts for 25.79 percent of the total geographical area (586.24 ha) of Khanapur micro-watershed. Agricultural land use in Khanapur micro-watershed occupied the major portion (69.33 percent) of TGA. A small area of 28.57 ha land was under sheet rock. The forest and agricultural land use in Khanapur micro-watershed had shown slightly acidic soil reaction. The organic carbon content in forest land use of Khanapur micro-watershed was of high category with a mean value of 8.0 g kg^-1. Whereas, the agricultural land exhibited medium category of organic carbon with a mean value of 6.5 g kg^-1. Majority of the area (81.18 percent) in Khanapur watershed was under medium category of available nitrogen. 71.68 percent amounting to 42.2 ha area in Khanapur micro-watershed was under low category of available phosphorus. Low and medium categories of available potassium were observed in Khanapur micro-watershed in 49.8 percent (291.8 ha) and 50.2 percent (294.4 ha) area of TGA.