Relationship between soil Physico-chemical properties, available macro and micronutrients and yield in cotton growing soils of Nanded district of Maharashtra

Available nutrient status and their correlation with the physico-chemical properties is an important indicator of soil health and plant nutrition. The research was conducted to understand the nutrient status in relation to soil properties in cotton growing region of Nanded district of Maharashtra. Seven representative soil profiles from different physiographic unit were selected, studied and determined the relationship between physico-chemical properties, available nutrients status of soil and yield of cotton. Results indicated that the soil depth, clay and PAWC showed positive correlation with all the macro and micronutrients but significantly with available N and Ca and Mg and negatively significant with Mn. pH of soils showed no significant negative correlation with N, P, K, Ca, Mg and B and significantly negative correlated with Fe. The soil organic carbon showed positive relationship with N, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Zn, Cu and significantly with B but negatively relationship with available P and Mn. CaCO3 showed negative relationship with P, K, S, Fe and Zn and significantly negative correlated with N, Ca and Mg. On the other hand, calcium carbonate showed positive and significant relationship with Mn. CEC showed positive relationship with available P, S, Fe, Zn, Cu and B and significantly positive correlated with N, K, Ca and Mg and significantly negative correlated with Mn. Among physico-chemical soil properties, yield of cotton showed positive relationship with organic carbon while positive and significant relationship with soil depth, clay and PAWC and CEC and negative relationship with silt, pH and EC but negative and significant relationship with sand and CaCO3.