Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this research work was to assess soil nutrient, spatial variability, and their mapping through GIS for better fertilizer recommendation and management.
Materials and methods
Soil samples (0–20-cm depth) were collected from major crop areas of district Chitral, northern Pakistan during April 2014. The crops areas were divided into eight main sampling units. Each sampling location was recorded through GPS point. The samples were then brought to laboratory of Soil and Environmental Sciences, for further analysis.
Results and discussion
The overall results showed that Zn content was the most deficient nutrient followed by K with 86 and 64% of samples, respectively. These results are different from other plain and agricultural areas which are dominantly deficient in order of N > P > K that could be associated to steep topography, climatic condition, and parent materials. The analyzed nutrients varied independently as indicated by their lower correlation values but showed stronger spatial patterns. Gaussian, linear, and exponential models were used depending on mean prediction error (MPE), root mean square standardize prediction error (RMSSPE), and nugget values for semivariogram analysis and consequent mapping of different nutrients through GIS.
Conclusions
The N and P were weakly distributed, while K and all micronutrients had strong spatial pattern suggesting that only N and P were managed during farming practices and that varied irregularly in the sampled area. In contrast to other plain agricultural areas of the country, the Zn and K were the most deficient elements and should be applied with suitable Zn and K fertilizers for optimum crop production in the area. This low Zn and K contents would be associated to the parent materials, low pH, and high organic matter contents especially in high altitude and comparatively high P content in the soil. The prepared maps can help on site-specific recommendation of fertilizers for farmers, researcher, and planners.
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Ahmad, M., Muhammad, D., Mussarat, M. et al. Appraisal for site specific plant nutrient management through spatial variability and mapping in hilly areas of northern Pakistan. J Soils Sediments 17, 936–948 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-016-1606-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-016-1606-z