Identification of Soil Fertility in Tobacco-growing Areas in Nandyal District, Andhra Pradesh, India
K. Sathish Babu
Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal, ANGRAU, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Y. S. Sathish Kumar *
Agricultural College, Mahanandi, ANGRAU, Andhra Pradesh, India.
T. Pullibhai
Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal, ANGRAU, Andhra Pradesh, India.
K. Arun Kumar
Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal, ANGRAU, Andhra Pradesh, India.
M. Jaya Lakshmi
Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal, ANGRAU, Andhra Pradesh, India.
M. Johnson
Agricultural College, Mahanandi, ANGRAU, Andhra Pradesh, India.
K. Kasturi Krishna
National Institute for Research on Commercial Agriculture, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India.
K. Sarala
National Institute for Research on Commercial Agriculture, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India.
M. Sheshu Madhav
National Institute for Research on Commercial Agriculture, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Soil fertility evaluation provides a basis for nutrient management in bidi tobacco-growing areas where spatial variation in soil properties may affect nutrient availability. This study assessed the physicochemical characteristics and available macro- and micronutrients of soils in Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh, India. During kharif 2024–25, 150 soil samples were collected from farmers’ fields across 15 villages, with 10 samples per village. Samples were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and DTPA-extractable zinc, iron, manganese and copper. Results summarised for five locations showed alkaline soil reaction (pH 7.86–8.21) and low electrical conductivity (0.05–0.07 dS m⁻¹). Mean organic carbon was 0.324%, while mean available nitrogen was 178.6 kg ha⁻¹. Available phosphorus and potassium averaged 61.6 and 513.8 kg ha⁻¹, respectively, and were classified as relatively high at the reported locations. Mean available zinc was 0.52 mg kg⁻¹; four of five location means were below the study’s 0.60 mg kg⁻¹ critical limit. Iron averaged 5.02 mg kg⁻¹, with one location mean below 5.0 mg kg⁻¹, whereas manganese and copper values exceeded the stated critical limits. Reported tobacco yields ranged from 1,950 to 2,350 kg ha⁻¹. Exploratory correlations based on five location means did not establish causal nutrient–yield relationships. These findings support location-specific soil testing, attention to organic matter and nitrogen management, and field evaluation of zinc correction measures.
Keywords: Soil fertility, bidi tobacco yield, macro nutrients, micro nutrients and Nandyal District