Soil Acidity and Nutrient Status in Central and North Eastern Plateau Zone (Zone IV)
of Jharkhand and its Management for Crop Production
B.K.AGARWAL, ARVIND KUMAR, ASHA KUMARI SINHA, D.K.SHAHI, RAKESH KUMAR ,
M.K.BARNWAL* AND S KARMAKAR**
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi-834 006
Jharkhand, India
* Department of Plant Pathology, BAU, Ranchi-834006
** Dept. of Agronomy, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi -834006
ABSTRACT
Soils of Central and North Eastern Plateau Zone (Zone IV) of Jharkhand were assessed for distribution of macro
and micronutrients viz. N,P,K,S, Fe,Mn,Zn,Cu and B including soil acidity and organic carbon content. Available Fe and
Mn were sufficient in all the districts under study. Boron and Zn deficiency was found to an extent of 31.2 and 7.1 per
cent respectively. Phosphorus and sulphur deficiency was found to be 65.0 and 33.7 per cent respectively. Soil acidity was
the major constraint. A considerable area (50.3 per cent of TGA) of the zone comes under very strongly to strongly acidic
followed by moderately to slightly acidic (37.8% of TGA). Organic carbon status was medium to high. Only 19.7 per cent
area of the zone comes under low (<0.5 %) category. Application of Lime + Farm Yard Manure (FYM) to neutralize soil
acidity, adequate phosphorus and sulphur fertilization and micronutrient application particularly Boron and Zinc can be
recommended for the zone. (Key words : Available micronutrient, Central and North Eastern Plateau Zone (Zone
IV), soil acidity)
Central and North Eastern Plateau Zone (Zone IV) cover approximately 54 per cent of the total
geographical area of the state. This zone cover thirteen districts i.e. Dumka, Deoghar, Godda, Sahebganj, Pakur,
Hazaribag, Koderma, Jamtara, Chatra, Giridih, Dhanbad, Bokaro and 2/3rd of Ranchi. The climate of this region
varies from Humid and sub humid tropical monsoon. The annual rainfall is <1320 mm. The soils of upland are
usually, shallow to medium depth, reddish in colour, low base exchange capacity, acidic in reaction (5.0 to 6.5)
poor in fertility status, well to excessively drained, prone to erosion with low water holding capacity and high
permeability. The soils become heavier in texture down the catena and down the profile, colour changes from
reddish yellow to yellow and yellowish grey. In lowland (Don soils) soils are grey almost neutral in reaction,
high clay content and high fertility status. However the soils of this region are not so far investigated for getting
reliable information on the location, extent and quality of soil and land resources for proper planning. Existing
1
information on the available nutrient status of Central and North Eastern Plateau Zone (Zone IV) of the state is
fragmentary, collected from widely scattered sites. This paper presents the distribution and extent of
acidity/alkanity and available nutrient in surface soil samples collected from demarcated grid points at an
interval of 2.5 km on 1: 50,000 scale for sustainable land use planning and Soil Testing Laboratories for
refining and prescribing optimal fertilizer doses.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study area comprised thirteen districts under Zone IV of Jharkhand state covering an area of
42937.0 sq km. Soil survey work was carried out with the help of Survey of India Toposheet (1:50,000).Surface
soil samples (0-20 cm depth) were collected from the entire zone at 2.5 km interval from demarcated grid points
and other related information’s were collected through field survey. All together 6903 surface soil samples were
collected and were air dried, processed and analyzed for pH, organic carbon, available phosphorous and
potassium (Page et al., 1982), available nitrogen (Subbaiah and Asija, 1956), available sulphur by using 0.15
per cent CaCl2 as the extractant (William and Steinbergs, 1959), available (DTPA extractable) Fe, Mn, Zn and
Cu (Lindsay and Norvell, 1978) and available B (hot water soluble) by Carmine method (Hatcher and Wilcox,
1950).
The soils were grouped under different soil reaction classes
viz extremely acidic (pH<4.5), very
strongly acidic (pH 4.5 – 5.0 ), strongly acidic (pH 5.1 – 5.5), moderately acidic (pH 5.6-6.0), slightly acidic
(pH 6.1-6.5), neutral (pH 6.6-7.3), slightly alkaline (pH 7.4-7.8), moderately alkaline (pH 7.9-8.4), strongly
alkaline (pH 8.5-9.0) according to Soil Survey Manual (IARI, 1970).The soils were rated as low (below 0.50
%), medium (0.50-0.75 %) and high (above 0.75 %) in case of organic carbon, low (<280 kg ha-1), medium
(280 to 560 kg ha-1) and high (>560 kg ha-1) in case of available nitrogen, low (< 10 kg ha-1), medium (10 to 25
kg ha-1) and high (> 25 kg ha-1) for available phosphorus, low (< 108 kg ha-1), medium (108 to 280 kg ha-1) and
high (> 280 kg ha-1) for available potassium and low (<10 mg kg-1), medium (10-20 mg kg-1) and high (> 20 mg
kg-1) for available sulphur (Singh et. al. 2004, Mehta et. al.1988). Critical limits of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B,
which separate deficient from non-deficient soils followed in India were 4.5, 2.0, 0.5, 0.2 and 0.5 mg kg-1
respectively. (Follet and Lindsay, 1970 and Berger and Truog, 1940).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Bokaro
The soil pH ranges from 4.2 to 7.3. Strongly acid soils covers 39.6 percent area followed by very
strongly acid (25.2 %), moderately acid (19.6 %) slightly acid (4.9 %) and extremely acid (4.7 %) soils. Soils of
2.1 percent area of the district are neutral in reaction. The organic carbon content in the district ranges from
2
0.13 to 2.28 %. Soils of majority of area (65.4 %) have high organic carbon content. Low and medium organic
carbon content constitute 15.9 and 14.8 percent area respectively. Available nitrogen content in the surface soils
of the district ranges between 92 and 1536 kg/ha. Majority soils (57.6 %) of the district are medium (280-560
kg ha-1) in available nitrogen content. Soils of 24.2 and 14.3 percent area have high (>560 kg ha -1) and low
(<280 kg ha-1) available nitrogen content respectively. Available phosphorus content in these soils ranges
between 0.3 and 18.6 kg/ha. Majority of the soils are low (66.0 % of TGA) in available phosphorous whereas
soils of 30.1 % area are medium available phosphorous content. Available potassium content in these soils
ranges between 54 and 476 kg/ha. Majority of the soils (57.9 % of TGA) have medium available potassium
content (108-280 kg ha-1). Soils of 21.5 percent area are low (below 108) and 16.7 percent area are high (above
280 kg ha-1) in available potassium content. The available sulphur content in the soils ranges from 0.42 to 69.41
mg kg-1 and soils of 28.3 percent of the area are low (<10 mg kg-1) in available sulphur content respectively.
All the soils of district are sufficient in available iron and manganese whereas soils of 1.0 and 1.3
percent area are deficient in available zinc and copper respectively. Available boron content in the soils ranges
between 0.09 to 5.03 mg kg-1 and 22.5 percent area of district are deficient (<0.50 mg kg-1).
Chatra
The soil pH ranges from 4.7 to 8.1. Most of the soils are acidic in reaction (66.2 % of TGA). Neutral
soils cover 17.6 % area of the district and alkaline soil cover 15.3 percent area of the district. Organic carbon
content in these soils ranges from 0.10 to 1.74 percent. Soils of 26.2 percent area of the district shows low
organic carbon content whereas medium and high organic carbon content constitute 35.8 and 37.1 percent area
respectively.
Available nitrogen content is medium (280-560 kg ha-1) in majority soils (63.1 % of TGA) of the
district and soils of 20.7 percent area have low available nitrogen content (<280 kg ha-1). Majority of the soils
(78.3 % of TGA) are low (below 10 kg/ha) in available phosphorous content followed by medium (20.5 % of
TGA) and high (0.3 % of TGA).Most of the soils (49.6 % of TGA) have medium available potassium content
(108-280 kg ha-1). Soils of 42.2 percent area are high (above 280 kg ha-1) and 7.3 percent area are low (below
108) in available potassium content. Available sulphur content ranges between 0.36 to 47.38 mg kg-1 and soils
of 28.1 percent of the area is low (<10 mg kg-1) whereas soils of 38.3 and 32.7 percent area are medium and
high in available sulphur content respectively.
Soils are analyses for available (DTPA extractable) micronutrients and seen that all the soils are
sufficient in available iron and manganese whereas soils of 7.2 and 1.5 percent area are deficient in available
zinc and copper respectively. Available boron content in the soils ranges between 0.07 to 4.48 mg kg -1 and 35.4
percent area of district is deficient (<0.50 mg kg-1).
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Deoghar
Most of the soils of Deoghar districts are acidic in reaction. Soils of 38.5 per cent area of the district
have pH range between 4.5 and 5.5. Organic carbon content in these soils ranges from 0.1 to 3.23 percent and
47.9 percent soils have high organic carbon content (>0.75 per cent)..
Available nitrogen content in surface soils ranges between 47 to 756 kg ha-1. Soils of 56.1 per cent area
have medium and soils of 33.9 per cent area have low available nitrogen content. Available phosphorous
content ranges between 6.0 to 126.4 kg ha-1. Majority of the soils of the district (85.5 percent of TGA) have
medium to high in available phosphorous whereas soils of 12.8 percent area are low in available phosphorous
(below 10 kg ha-1). Available potassium content ranges between 101 and 1137 kg ha-1. Soils of 87.6 per cent
area have medium to high available potassium content. The available sulphur content in the soils ranges from
0.54 to 95.15 mg kg-1. Soils of 35.3 percent of the area are low (<10 mg kg-1) whereas soils of 21.5 and 41.5
percent area are medium (10-20 mg kg-1) and high (>20 mg kg-1) in available sulphur content respectively.
Soils are analysed for available (DTPA extractable) micronutrients and seen that all the soils are
sufficient in available iron and manganese whereas soils of 6.6 and 7.5 percent area are deficient in available
zinc and copper. The available boron content in the soils ranges from 0.03 to 1.94 mgkg-1. Soils of 45.1 percent
area of district are deficient (<0.50 mgkg-1) whereas 53.2 percent area are sufficient (>0.50 mgkg-1) in available
boron content.
Dhanbad
The soil pH ranges from 4.4 to 7.2. Soils of strongly acid reaction covers 41.2 percent area fallowed by
moderately acid (27.1 %), very strongly acid (16.3 %), slightly acid (6.0 %) and extremely acid (2.5 %). Soils of
2.2 percent area of the district are neutral in reaction. The organic carbon content in the district ranges from 0.09
to 3.9 %. Soils of majority area (83.4 %) have high in organic carbon content. Medium and low organic carbon
content constitute 7.4 and 4.5 percent area respectively.
Available nitrogen content in the surface soils of the district ranges between 58 and 785 kg/ha. Majority
soils (74.2 % of TGA) of the district are medium in available nitrogen (280-560 kg ha-1). Soils of 17.0 and 4.2
percent area have high (>560 kg ha-1) and low (<280 kg ha-1) available nitrogen content respectively. Available
phosphorus content in these soils ranges between 1.0 and 15.6 kg/ha. Majority of the soils (68.8 %) are low
whereas 26.5 percent soil are medium in available phosphorous content. Available potassium content in these
soils ranges between 49 and 952 kg/ha. Most of the soils (48.4 % of TGA) have low available potassium
content (below 108 kg ha-1). Soils of 37.9 percent area are medium (108-280 kg ha-1) and 9.0 percent area are
high (above 280 kg ha-1) in available potassium content. The available sulphur content in the soils ranges from
4
0.34 to 43.43 mg kg-1 and soils of 13.9 percent of the area are low (<10 mg kg-1) in available sulphur content
respectively.
All the soils of district are sufficient in available iron and manganese whereas soils of 2.1 and 0.3
percent area are deficient in available zinc and copper respectively. Available boron content in the soils ranges
between 0.22 to 5.90 mg kg-1 and 9.1 percent area of district are deficient (<0.50 mg kg-1).
Dumka
The soil pH ranges from 4.5 to 8.9. Strongly acid soils covers 33.2 percent area fallowed by moderately
acid (29.8 %), very strongly acid (15.3 %) and slightly acid (12.7 %) soils. Soils of 2.1 and 1.9 percent area of
the district are neutral and alkaline in reaction respectively. The organic carbon content in the district ranges
from 0.17 to 3.07 %. Soils of 47.8 percent area shows high organic carbon content. Medium and low organic
carbon content constitute 25.3 and 24.6 percent area respectively.
Available nitrogen content in the surface soils of the district ranges between 82 and 685 kg/ha. Majority
soils (74.7 % of TGA) of the district have medium in available nitrogen (280-560 kg ha-1) content. Soils of 15.7
and 7.3 percent area are low and high in available nitrogen content respectively. Available phosphorus content
in these soils ranges between 0.5 and 64.1 kg/ha. Majority of the soils are low (53.4 % of TGA) followed by
medium (30.7 % of TGA) and high (13.6 % of TGA) content of available phosphorous. Available potassium
content in these soils ranges between 58 and 1400 kg/ha. Most of the soils (43.8 % of TGA) are high in
available potassium content. Soils of 42.1 and 11.8 percent area are medium and low in available potassium
content respectively. The available sulphur content in the soils ranges from 0.97 to 44.31 mg kg-1. Soils of 44.3
percent of the area are medium (10-20 mg kg-1) whereas soils of 42.2 and 11.2 percent area are low (<10 mg kg1
) and high (>20 mg kg-1) in available sulphur content respectively.
Soils are analysed for available (DTPA extractable) micronutrients and seen that all the soils are
sufficient in available iron and manganese whereas soils of 6.7 and 5.5 percent area are deficient in available
zinc and copper respectively. Available boron content in the soils ranges between 0.11 to 7.15 mgkg-1 and 27.3
percent area of district is deficient (<0.50 mg kg-1) in it.
Giridih
The soil pH ranges from 4.5 to 7.2. Very strongly acid soils covers 28.6 percent area fallowed by
strongly acid (27.5 %), moderately acid (22.4 %) and slightly acid (14.2 %) soils. Soils of 6.2 percent area of
the district are neutral in reaction. The organic carbon content in the district ranges from 0.07 to 3.75 %. Soils of
40.0 percent area shows high organic carbon content. Low and medium organic carbon content constitute 35.4
and 23.5 percent area respectively.
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Available nitrogen content in the surface soils of the Giridih district ranges between 95 and 825 kg/ha.
Majority area (82.4 % of TGA) of the district have medium availability status of available nitrogen (280-560 kg
ha-1). Soils of 8.3 and 8.2 percent area are low and high in available nitrogen content respectively. Available
phosphorus content in these soils ranges between 1.0 and 25.5 kg/ha. Majority of the soils (79.0 % of TGA) are
low followed by medium (19.8 %) and high (0.1 %) in available phosphorous content. Available potassium
content in these soils ranges between 49 and 1344 kg/ha/. Most of soils (43.7 % of TGA) have medium
available potassium content (108-280 kg ha-1). Soils of 36.0 percent area are high (above 280 kg ha-1) and 19.2
percent area are low (below 108) in available potassium content. The available sulphur content in the soils
ranges from 0.36 to 85.38 mg kg-1. Majority of soils (50 % of TGA) are high (>20 mg kg-1) in available sulphur.
Soils of 25.2 percent area are low (<10 mg kg-1) in available sulphur content respectively.
Soils are analysed for available (DTPA extractable) micronutrients and seen that all the soils are
sufficient in available iron and manganese whereas soils of 14.7 and 9.9 percent area are deficient in available
zinc and copper respectively. Available boron content in the soils ranges between 0.03 to 5.23 mgkg-1 and 46.6
percent area of district is deficient (<0.50 mg kg-1) in it.
Godda
The soil pH ranges from 4.7 to 8.1. Soils of 84.4 percent area of the district are acidic in reaction in
which moderately acid soil covers 34.8 percent, strongly acid covers 22.8 percent slightly acid covers 21.3
percent and 5.5 percent area covers very strongly acid soils. Soils of 9.3 and 4.5 percent area of the district are
neutral and alkaline in reaction respectively. The organic carbon content in the district ranges from 0.29 to 1.63
%. Majority soils (83.8 % of TGA) have high organic carbon content. Medium and low organic carbon content
constitute 11.7 and 2.7 percent area respectively.
Available nitrogen content in the surface soils of the district ranges between 220 and 630 kg/ha.
Majority area (88.7 % of TGA) of the district have medium availability status of nitrogen (280-560 kg ha-1).
Soils of high and low available nitrogen content constitute 7.7 and 1.8 percent area respectively. Available
phosphorus content in these soils ranges between 1.0 and 12.8 kg/ha. Soils of the 92.2 percent area are low in
available phosphorous content, whereas 6.0 percent area have medium available phosphorous content.
Available potassium content in these soils ranges between 45 and 706 kg/ha. Majority of soils (58.6 % of TGA)
have medium available potassium content. Soils of 25.5 percent area are low and 14.1 percent area are high in
available potassium content. The available sulphur content in the soils ranges from 0.94 to 47.03 mg kg-1. Soils
of 36.6 percent of the area are low (<10 mg kg-1) whereas soils of 42.1 and 19.5 percent area are medium (10-20
mg kg-1) and high (>20 mg kg-1) in available sulphur content respectively.
6
Soils are analysed for available (DTPA extractable) micronutrients and seen that all the soils are
sufficient in available iron and manganese whereas soils of 8.7 and 0.7 percent area are deficient in available
zinc and copper respectively. Available boron content in the soils ranges between 0.05 to 8.95 mgkg-1 and 24.7
percent area of district is deficient (<0.50 mg kg-1) in it.
Hazaribagh
The soil pH ranges from 4.5 to 7.8. Majority of soils (88.2 % of TGA) of the area are acidic in reaction.
The organic carbon content in the soils ranges from 0.08 to 5.54 percent. Soils of 64.5 percent area have high
surface organic carbon content. Medium and low organic carbon content constitute 17.4 and 15.9 percent area
respectively.
Available nitrogen content in the surface soils of the district ranges between 68 and 710 kg/ha. Soils of
majority area (69.4 % of TGA) of the district have medium availability status of available nitrogen (280-560 kg
ha-1) and 17.9 percent area have low available nitrogen content (<280 kg ha-1). Available phosphorus content in
these soils ranges between 0.5 and 27.2 kg/ha. Soils of the 57.8 percent area are low (below 10 kg ha-1) in
available phosphorous content. Available potassium content in these soils ranges between 65 and 952 kg/ha.
Most of the soils (48.2 % of TGA) have medium (108-280 kg ha-1) available potassium content. Soils of 38.0
percent area are high (above 280 kg ha-1) and 11.6 percent area are low in available potassium content. The
available sulphur content in the soils ranges from 0.54 to 106.5 mg kg-1. Soils of 33.8 percent of the area are
low (<10 mg kg-1) whereas soils of 30.4 and 33.6 percent area are medium (10-20 mg kg-1) and high (>20 mg
kg-1) in available sulphur content respectively.
Soils are analyses for available (DTPA extractable) micronutrients and seen that all the soils are
sufficient in available iron and manganese whereas soils of 4.2 and 5.5 percent area are deficient in available
zinc and copper respectively. Soils of 38.9 percent area of district are deficient (<0.50 mgkg-1) whereas 58.9
percent area are sufficient (>0.50 mg kg-1) in available boron content.
Jamtara
The soil pH ranges from 4.3 to 7.4. Soils of 88 % area are acidic in reaction, in which 36.6 percent area
strongly acidic, 25.6 percent very strongly acidic, 18.1 percent moderately acidic, 5.6 percent slightly acidic and
2.1 percent extremely acidic in reaction. Soils of 5.4 percent area of the district are neutral whereas 3.3 percent
area is slightly alkaline in reaction. The organic carbon content in the district ranges from 0.16 to 1.47 %. Soils
of 47.4 percent area of the district shows high organic carbon content. Medium and low organic carbon content
constitute 24.7 and 24.6 percent area respectively.
Available nitrogen content in the surface soils of the district ranges between 135 and 543 kg/ha. Majority soils
of the district have medium availability of nitrogen and soils of 20.2 percent area have low available nitrogen
7
content. Available phosphorus content in these soils ranges between 1.4 and 18.5 kg/ha. Majority of the soils
are low (73.1 % of TGA) followed by medium (23.6 % of TGA) in of available phosphorous content. Available
potassium content in these soils ranges between 39 and 582 kg/ha. Most of the soils (61.3 % of TGA) have
medium available potassium content. Soils of 14.1 percent area have high and 21.3 percent area have low in
available potassium content. The available sulphur content in the soils ranges from 0.76 to 41.49 mg kg-1. Soils
of 25.8 percent of the area are low (<10 mg kg-1) whereas soils of 39.7 and 31.2 percent area are medium (10-20
mg kg-1) and high (>20 mg kg-1) in available sulphur content respectively.
Soils are analysed for available (DTPA extractable) micronutrients and seen that all the soils are
sufficient in available iron and manganese whereas soils of 3.8 and 0.9 percent area are deficient in available
zinc and copper respectively. Available boron content in the soils ranges between 0.02 to 6.09 mgkg-1 and 23.0
percent area of district is deficient (<0.50 mg kg-1) in it.
Koderma
The soil pH ranges from 4.6 to 7.8. Majority of the area (81.0 % of TGA) is acidic in reaction. The
organic carbon content in the district ranges from 0.04 to 2.78 %. Majority of area (52.2 % of TGA) shows high
organic carbon content. Low and medium organic carbon content constitute 30.6 and 16.1 percent area
respectively.
Available nitrogen content in the surface soils of the district ranges between 43 and 723 kg/ha. Majority
area (62.1 % of TGA) of the district have medium availability status of available nitrogen and 22.1 percent area
have low available nitrogen content. Available phosphorus content in these soils ranges between 1.0 and 20.6
kg/ha. Majority of the soils are low (76.8 % of TGA) in available phosphorous content. Available potassium
content in these soils ranges between 69 and 1232 kg/ha. Soils of 44.1 percent area have high available
potassium content (above 280 kg ha-1) and soils of 32.8 and 22.0 percent area have medium (108-280 kg ha-1)
and low in available potassium content respectively. The available sulphur content in the soils ranges from 0.29
to 68.36 mg kg-1. Soils of 33.1 percent of the area are low (<10 mg kg-1) whereas soils of 19.1 and 46.7 percent
area are medium (10-20 mg kg-1) and high (>20 mg kg-1) in available sulphur content respectively.
Soils are analyses for available (DTPA extractable) micronutrients and seen that all the soils are
sufficient in available iron and manganese whereas soils of 16.9 and 9.9 percent area are deficient in available
zinc and copper respectively. Soils of 23.9 percent area of district are deficient (<0.50 mgkg-1) whereas 75.0
percent area have sufficient (>0.50 mgkg-1) in available boron content.
8
Pakur
The soil pH ranges from 4.9 to 7.7. Soils of 88.9 percent area are acidic in reaction in which 32.5
percent area have moderately acidic soils, 32.2 percent area have strongly acidic soils, 15.9 percent slightly
acidic soils and 8.3 percent very strongly acidic soils. Neutral and slightly alkaline soils cover 6.5 and 2.6
percent area respectively. The organic carbon content in the district ranges from 0.28 to 2.17%. Soils 68.5
percent area shows high organic carbon content. Medium and low organic carbon content constitute 20.9 and
8.6 percent area respectively.
Available nitrogen content in the surface soils of the Pakur district ranges between 257 and 624 kg/ha.
Majority area (87.9 % of TGA) of the district have medium availability status of available nitrogen and 3.1
percent area have low available nitrogen content. Available phosphorus content in these soils ranges between
1.0 and 25.1 kg/ha. Majority of the soils are low (75.3 %) followed by medium (22.5 %) and high (0.2 %)
content of available phosphorous. Available potassium content in these soils ranges between 54 and 700 kg/ha.
Most of soils (46.3 % of TGA) have medium available potassium content. Soils of 26.6 percent area are high
and 25.1 percent area are low in available potassium content. Available sulphur content in the soils ranges from
2.50 to 35.35 mg kg-1 and soils of 42.2 percent of the area are low (<10 mg kg-1) in available sulphur content.
All the soils of district are sufficient in available iron and manganese whereas soils of 13.5 and 0.7
percent area are deficient in available zinc and copper respectively. Available boron content in the soils ranges
between 0.10 to 7.22 mg kg-1 and 27.2 percent area of district are deficient (<0.50 mg kg-1).
Ranchi
The soil pH ranges from 4.2 to 7.6. Majority of the area is acidic (96.4 % of TGA) in reaction. Soils of
1.2 percent area of the district are neutral whereas 0.2 percent area is slightly alkaline in reaction. The organic
carbon content in the district ranges from 0.14 to 3.76 %. Soils 43.8 percent area of the district have high
organic carbon content. Medium and low organic carbon content constitute 28.7 and 25.3 percent area
respectively.
Available nitrogen content in the surface soils of the district ranges between 109 and 638 kg/ha.
Majority soils (67.2 % of TGA) of the district have medium availability of nitrogen (280-560 kg ha-1) whereas
soils of 26.1 percent area have low available nitrogen content (<280 kg ha-1).Available phosphorus content in
these soils ranges between 0.5 and 26.6 kg/ha. Majority of the soils are medium (56.2 % of TGA) in available
phosphorous content. Soils of 40.1 percent area are low and 1.5 percent area are high in available phosphorous
content. Available potassium content in these soils ranges between 49 and 941 kg/ha. Majority of the soils (57.1
% of TGA) have medium available potassium content (108-280 kg ha-1). Soils of 27.7 percent area are high
(above 280 kg ha-1) and 13.0 percent area are low (below 108) in available potassium content. Available
9
sulphur content in the soils ranges from 0.6 to 72.1 mg kg-1. Soils of 36.7 percent of the area are low in
available sulphur, whereas soils of 30.5 and 30.6 percent area are medium and high in available sulphur content
respectively.
Soils are analysed for available (DTPA extractable) micronutrients and seen that all the soils are
sufficient in available iron and manganese whereas soils of 4.1 and 5.6 percent area are deficient in available
zinc and copper respectively. Available boron content in the soils ranges between 0.02 and 3.52 mg kg -1 and
42.8 percent area of district is deficient (<0.50 mg kg-1).
Sahibganj
The soil pH ranges from 4.9 to 8.1. Most of the soils (62.9 % of TGA) are acidic in reaction. Neutral
soil covers 14.6 percent area whereas slightly alkaline and moderately alkaline soils cover 4.7 and 7.9 percent
area respectively. The organic carbon content in the district ranges from 0.12 to 2.84 %. Soils of 64.7 percent
area have high surface organic carbon content. Medium and low organic carbon content constitute 15.8 and 11.6
percent area respectively.
Available nitrogen content in the surface soils of the Sahibganj district ranges between 96 and 829
kg/ha. Majority area (66.1 % of TGA) of the district have medium availability status of available nitrogen and
8.5 percent area have low available nitrogen content. Available phosphorus content in these soils ranges
between 1.2 and 19.8 kg/ha. Soils of the 70.9 % area have low in available phosphorous content, whereas 21.2
percent area have medium available phosphorous content respectively. Available potassium content in these
soils ranges between 59 and 1008 kg/ha. Most of soils (41.2 % of TGA) have medium available potassium
content. Soils of 26.6 percent area are low and 24.3 percent area are high in available potassium content.
Available sulphur content in the soils ranges from 1.77 to 39.59 mg kg-1 and soils of 56.3 percent of the area are
low (<10 mg kg-1) in available sulphur content.
All the soils of district are sufficient in available iron and manganese whereas soils of 2.3 and 1.8
percent area are deficient in available zinc and copper respectively. Available boron content in the soils ranges
between 0.07 to 3.78 mg kg-1 and 38.5 percent area of district are deficient (<0.50 mg kg-1).
Over all Zone IV
A considerable area (50.3 per cent of TGA) of the zone comes under very strongly to strongly acidic
followed by moderately to slightly acidic (37.8% of TGA). The organic carbon content was medium to high.
Only 19.7 per cent of TGA comes under low categories (Table 1).
Available nitrogen content in the surface soils ranged between 43 and 1536 kg/ha. Majority area (71.2 %
of TGA) of the district had medium availability status of available nitrogen and 10.9 per cent area had low
10
available nitrogen content . Available phosphorus content in these soils ranged between 0.3 and 126.4 kg/ha.
Majority of the soils (65.0 % area) were low in available phosphorous content . Available potassium content in
these soils ranged between 39.0 and 1400.0 kg/ha. The data revealed that 30.6 % area of the district had high
available potassium content . Soils of 46.3 per cent area were medium and 20.3 per cent area were low in
available potassium content (Table 2 &2.1). Available sulphur content ranged between 0.29 to 106.45 mg kg-1.
Soils of 33.65 per cent of the area were deficient whereas soils of 63.65 per cent area were sufficient in
available sulphur content.
All the soils of the zone were sufficient in available iron and manganese whereas soils of 7.1 and 4.2 per
cent area were deficient in available zinc and copper respectively (Table 3). Available boron content in the soils
ranged between 0.02 to 8.95 mg kg-1 and 31.2 per cent area were deficient .
CONCLUSION
Soil acidity together with the low range P & S values, moderate N & K status as well as deficient zones
of zinc and boron indicate in general the low fertility status and therefore requires attention regarding soil
management practices for optimum agricultural production viz.

Use of locally available Liming material like Market lime /Dolomite/Basic Slag @ 3-4 q/ha in furrow at
the time of sowing to neutralize soil acidity.

Use of FYM @ 5-10t/ha or Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha at the time of sowing to maintain the organic matter
status and soil health.

Adequate phosphorus and sulphur fertilization depending upon crop and cropping sequence.

Use of phosphogypsum @ 120-150 kg/ha as a source of sulphur in sulpher deficient soil for oilseed and
pulses crops.

In Micronutrient deficient soil particularly Boron and Zinc, application of Sodium borate @ 10-15 kg/ha
in Boron deficient and Zinc sulphate @ 25kg/ha in Zn deficient soil may be recommended.
Acknowledgement
The senior author acknowledges the financial support from Department of Agriculture & Cane
Development, Govt. of Jharkhand for carrying out this mega project work at BAU and NBSS & LUP, Regional
Center Kolkata.
References
Berger, K. C. and Truog, E.(1940) J. Am. Soc. Agron. 32,297
11
Follet, R. H. and Lindsay , W. L.(1970) Tech. Bull. Colo. Agric. Exp. Station 110.
Hatcher, J. T. and Wilcox, L. V. (1950) Analyt. Chem. 22, 567
I.A.R.I. (1970). Soil survey manual, All India Soil and Land Use Organization, Indian Agricultural Research
Institute, New Delhi.
Lindsay , W. L. & Norvell, W.A.(1978). Development of a DTPA micronutrients soil test for Zn, Fe, Mn and
Cu. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proceedings: 42, 421-428.
Mehta, V. S. , Singh, V and Singh, R. P. (1988) J. Indian Society of Soil Science, 36, 743.
Mishra, R. K. (2004) Planning for Food and Nutritional Security in Jharkhand, Published by Agricultural Data
Bank, BAU, Ranchi, Jharkhand, p. 275.
Page, A. L., Miller, R. H. and Keeney, D. R.(1982) Method of Soil Analysis, Part-II, Chemical and
Microbiological Properties, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. And Am. Soc. Agron. Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Singh Dhyan, Chhonkar, P. K. and Pandey, R. N.(2004) Soil Plant and Water Analysis, A Manual, IARI, New
Delhi.
Subbaiah, B.V. and Asija, G.L. (1956). A rapid procedure for determination of available nitrogen in soil.
Current Science 25, 259-260.
William, C. H. and Stainbergs, A. (1959) Aust. J. Agric. Res. 10,
12
Table : 1 Distribution and extent of soil acidity in districts under Central and North Eastern Plateau
Zone (Zone IV)
District
Very strongly to strongly
TGA
acidic (pH <5.5)
Moderately acidic to
Neutral
slightly acidic (pH 5.5 –
(pH 6.6-7.3)
6.5)
Area
00’ ha
Area 00’ ha
% TGA
Area
00’
ha
% TGA
Area 00’ ha
% TGA
Bokaro
2862.0
1989.0
69.5
701.0
24.5
59.0
2.1
Chatra
3692.0
731.0
19.8
1720.0
46.4
654.0
17.6
Deogarh
2475.0
953.0
38.5
1411.0
56.9
73.0
2.9
Dhanbad
2087.0
1252.0
60.0
691.0
33.1
46.0
2.2
Dumka
4410.0
2139.0
48.5
1872.0
42.4
215.0
4.9
Giridih
4939.0
2771.0
56.1
1808.0
36.6
306.0
6.2
Godda
2106.0
596.0
28.3
1183.0
56.1
197.0
9.3
Hazaribagh
5055.0
2664.0
52.7
1788.0
35.5
439.0
8.7
Jamtar
1801.0
1158.0
64.3
428.0
23.7
97.0
5.4
Koderma
2405.0
623.0
25.9
1328.0
55.1
333.0
13.8
Pakur
1805.0
731.0
40.5
873.0
48.4
118.0
6.5
Ranchi
7701.0
5637.0
73.2
1788.0
23.2
90.0
1.2
Sahibganj
1598.0
350.0
21.9
656.0
41.0
234.0
14.6
Zone IV
42937.0
21594.0
50.3
16247.0
37.8
2861.0
6.6
37879.0
47.5
28844.0
36.2
6627.0
8.0
Jharkhand
79745.0
13
Table 2- Status of available major nutrients (kg ha-1) and soil properties in districts under Central and North
Eastern Plateau Zone (Zone IV) of Jharkhand state.
District
Soil Properties/
Nutrient status Range
 %TGA
nutrients
Low
Medium
High
4.2
_
7.3
_
_
_
Bokaro
pH (1:2.5)
0.1
2.3
15.9
14.8
65.4
_
(460)
O.C (%)
92.0
1536.0
14.3
57.6
24.2
_
Avail.N
0.3
18.6
66.0
30.1
0.0
_
Avail.P
54.0
476.0
21.5
57.9
16.7
_
Avail.K
4.7
8.1
_
_
_
_
Chatra
pH (1:2.5)
0.1
1.7
26.2
35.8
37.1
_
(594)
O.C (%)
183.0
693.0
20.7
63.1
15.3
_
Avail.N
1.0
29.3
78.3
20.5
0.3
_
Avail.P
67.0
862.0
7.3
49.6
42.2
_
Avail.K
4.5
5.5
_
_
_
_
Deoghar
pH (1:2.5)
0.1
3.2
29.9
20.5
47.9
_
(398)
O.C (%)
47.0
756.0
33.9
56.1
8.3
_
Avail.N
6.0
126.4
12.8
54.8
30.7
_
Avail.P
101.0
1137.0
10.7
26.7
60.9
_
Avail.K
4.4
7.2
_
_
_
_
Dhanbad
pH (1:2.5)
0.1
3.9
4.5
7.4
83.4
_
(336)
O.C (%)
58.0
795.0
4.1
74.2
17.0
_
Avail.N
1.0
15.6
68.8
26.5
0.0
_
Avail.P
49.0
952.0
48.4
37.9
9.0
_
Avail.K
4.5
8.9
_
_
_
_
Dumka
pH (1:2.5)
0.2
3.1
24.6
25.3
47.8
_
(709)
O.C (%)
82.0
685.0
15.7
74.7
7.3
_
Avail.N
0.5
64.1
53.4
30.7
13.6
_
Avail.P
58.0
1400.0
11.8
42.1
43.8
_
Avail.K
4.5
7.2
_
_
_
_
Giridih
pH (1:2.5)
0.1
3.8
35.4
23.5
40.0
_
(794)
O.C (%)
95.0
825.0
8.3
82.4
8.2
_
Avail.N
1.0
25.5
79.0
19.8
0.1
_
Avail.P
49.0
1344.0
19.2
43.7
36.0
_
Avail.K
* Figure in parenthesis indicates number of soil sample analyzed
14
Table 2.1- Status of available major nutrients (kg ha-1) and soil properties in districts under Central and North Eastern
Plateau Zone (Zone IV) of Jharkhand state.
Soil Properties/
 %TGA
Nutrient status Range
nutrients
District
Low
Medium
High
_
_
_
_
4.5
7.8
Hazaribagh
pH (1:2.5)
(812)
O.C (%)
0.1
_
5.5
15.9
17.4
64.5
Avail.N
68.0
_
710.0
17.9
69.4
10.5
Avail.P
0.5
_
27.2
57.8
38.5
1.5
Avail.K
65.0
_
952.0
11.6
48.1
38.0
Jamtara
pH (1:2.5)
4.3
_
7.4
_
_
_
(290)
O.C (%)
0.2
_
1.5
24.6
24.7
47.4
Avail.N
135.0
_
543.0
20.2
76.5
0.0
Avail.P
1.4
_
18.5
73.1
23.6
0.0
Avail.K
39.0
_
582.0
21.3
61.3
14.1
Koderma
pH (1:2.5)
4.6
_
7.8
_
_
_
(387)
O.C (%)
0.0
_
2.8
30.6
16.1
52.2
Avail.N
43.0
_
723.0
22.1
62.1
14.7
Avail.P
1.0
_
20.6
76.8
22.1
0.0
Avail.K
69.0
_
1232.0
22.0
32.8
44.1
Pakur
pH (1:2.5)
4.9
_
7.7
_
_
_
(290)
O.C (%)
0.3
_
2.2
8.6
20.9
68.5
Avail.N
257.0
_
624.0
3.1
87.9
7.0
Avail.P
1.0
_
25.1
75.3
22.5
0.2
Avail.K
54.0
_
700.0
25.1
46.3
26.6
Ranchi
pH (1:2.5)
4.2
_
7.6
_
_
_
(1238)
O.C (%)
0.1
_
3.8
25.3
28.7
43.8
Avail.N
109.0
_
638.0
26.1
67.2
4.5
Avail.P
0.5
_
26.6
40.1
56.2
1.5
Avail.K
49.0
_
941.0
13.0
57.1
27.7
Sahibganj
pH (1:2.5)
4.9
_
8.1
_
_
_
(257)
O.C (%)
0.1
_
2.8
11.6
15.8
64.7
Avail.N
96.0
_
829.0
8.5
66.1
17.5
1.2
_
_
_
_
_
_
_
19.8
70.9
21.2
0.0
1008.0
8.9
5.5
1536.0
126.4
1400.0
26.6
_
19.7
15.1
65.0
20.3
41.2
_
20.2
71.2
28.7
46.4
24.3
_
57.4
10.9
3.7
30.6
Over All
Zone IV
(6903)
Avail.P
Avail.K
pH (1:2.5)
O.C (%)
Avail.N
Avail.P
Avail.K
59.0
4.2
0.0
43.0
0.3
39.0
15
* Figure in parenthesis indicates number of soil sample analyzed
Table 3- Status of available micro and secondary nutrients (mg kg-1) in districts under Central and
North Eastern Plateau Zone (Zone IV) of Jharkhand state.
District
Nutrients
Range
Bokaro
Chatra
Deoghar
Dhanbad
Dumka
S
B
Fe
Mn
Zn
Cu
S
B
Fe
Mn
Zn
Cu
S
B
Fe
Mn
Zn
Cu
S
B
Fe
Mn
Zn
Cu
S
B
Fe
 %TGA
Nutrient status
Mean
SD
Deficient Sufficient
0.47
-
68.50
16.55
11.50
28.30
67.80
0.04
-
1.80
0.47
0.37
22.50
73.60
6.03
-
86.68
32.53
23.47
0.00
100.00
11.70
-
58.22
39.40
14.19
0.00
100.00
0.05
-
5.97
1.50
1.23
1.10
95.00
0.23
-
5.58
1.45
1.24
4.70
91.40
0.44
-
40.39
18.40
10.76
28.10
71.00
0.57
-
5.66
2.05
1.70
35.40
63.70
33.02
-
91.88
62.42
15.14
0.00
100.00
10.61
-
66.59
37.16
14.64
0.00
100.00
0.29
-
18.60
2.15
3.28
7.20
91.90
0.73
-
7.63
2.92
1.41
1.50
97.60
0.36
-
95.15
17.80
13.90
35.30
63.00
0.03
-
1.94
0.50
0.34
45.10
53.20
4.64
-
93.20
34.98
21.73
0.00
100.00
9.00
-
62.60
42.37
13.14
0.00
100.00
0.04
-
6.42
1.61
1.14
6.60
91.70
0.18
-
6.00
1.56
1.15
7.50
90.80
0.34
-
43.43
19.78
9.96
13.90
81.40
0.44
-
6.09
2.20
1.57
9.10
86.20
25.40
-
98.80
67.12
14.02
0.00
100.00
8.16
-
71.60
39.96
13.56
0.00
100.00
0.22
-
20.00
2.31
3.04
2.10
93.20
0.56
-
8.20
3.14
1.31
0.30
95.00
0.97
-
5.20
11.89
7.52
42.20
55.50
0.02
-
2.64
0.79
0.48
27.30
70.40
0.66
-
365.20
39.41
36.66
4.50
95.50
16
Mn
Zn
Cu
S
Giridih
B
Fe
Mn
Zn
Cu
S
Godda
B
Fe
Mn
Zn
Cu
Hazaribagh S
B
Fe
Mn
Zn
Cu
S
Jamtara
B
Fe
Mn
Zn
Cu
S
Koderma
B
Fe
Mn
Zn
Cu
S
Pakur
0.54
-
257.40
41.89
39.14
3.00
97.00
0.32
-
19.90
1.67
1.50
6.70
91.00
0.24
-
12.98
2.06
1.42
5.50
92.20
1.26
-
4.84
11.06
8.12
25.20
73.70
0.03
-
2.46
0.73
0.52
46.60
52.30
0.86
-
339.64
36.65
39.59
0.00
100.00
0.70
-
239.38
38.96
42.27
0.00
100.00
0.42
-
18.51
1.55
1.62
14.70
84.20
0.31
-
12.07
1.92
1.53
9.90
89.00
0.38
-
99.00
19.69
21.59
36.60
61.60
0.03
-
7.32
1.09
1.20
24.70
73.50
3.74
-
70.68
34.53
20.01
0.00
100.00
0.68
-
50.59
41.11
10.41
0.00
100.00
0.18
-
10.62
1.95
1.97
8.70
89.50
0.31
-
8.78
1.60
1.37
0.70
97.50
0.29
-
106.45
21.17
19.99
33.80
64.00
0.02
-
7.87
1.17
1.11
38.90
58.90
2.88
-
76.00
37.13
18.53
1.40
98.60
0.52
-
54.40
44.20
9.64
1.60
98.40
0.14
-
11.42
2.10
1.82
4.20
93.60
0.24
-
9.44
1.72
1.27
5.50
92.30
0.61
-
27.08
6.10
5.73
25.80
70.90
0.08
-
1.60
0.56
0.32
23.00
73.70
29.90
-
87.98
57.73
21.54
0.00
100.00
6.63
-
59.52
45.90
15.63
0.00
100.00
0.21
-
5.97
1.41
0.84
3.80
92.90
0.31
-
12.57
2.90
2.10
0.90
95.80
0.47
-
29.12
6.56
5.31
33.10
65.80
0.06
-
1.72
0.60
0.30
23.90
75.00
23.00
-
94.60
62.08
19.94
0.00
100.00
5.10
-
64.00
49.35
14.47
0.00
100.00
0.16
-
6.42
1.52
0.78
16.90
82.00
0.24
-
13.52
3.12
1.94
9.90
89.00
0.94
-
44.31
13.74
7.81
42.20
55.80
17
Ranchi
Sahibganj
Over all
CPZ
B
Fe
Mn
Zn
Cu
S
B
Fe
Mn
Zn
Cu
S
B
Fe
Mn
Zn
Cu
S
B
Fe
Mn
Zn
Cu
0.10
-
8.95
1.52
1.66
27.20
70.80
7.04
-
69.60
31.36
14.59
5.32
94.68
2.96
-
52.00
24.25
10.39
5.28
94.72
0.22
-
4.34
1.02
0.61
13.50
84.50
0.52
-
9.18
2.96
1.30
0.70
97.30
0.72
-
80.96
16.10
13.93
36.70
61.10
0.02
-
1.87
0.47
0.36
42.80
55.00
8.50
-
108.20
49.35
25.39
0.00
100.00
6.46
-
49.60
38.86
9.93
0.00
100.00
0.42
-
6.36
2.20
1.09
4.10
93.70
0.72
-
48.40
4.85
4.34
5.60
92.20
1.24
-
47.03
10.12
9.66
56.30
35.80
0.05
-
2.59
0.61
0.41
38.50
53.60
9.12
-
74.80
46.32
15.82
2.10
97.90
12.28
-
51.60
40.31
9.87
2.30
97.70
0.98
-
4.98
2.24
0.80
2.30
89.80
0.12
-
9.36
3.07
1.48
1.80
90.30
0.29
-
106.45
14.54
11.21
33.65
63.65
0.02
-
8.95
0.98
0.80
31.15
66.15
0.66
-
365.20
45.51
22.03
1.02
98.98
0.52
-
257.40
40.29
16.71
0.94
99.06
0.04
-
20.00
1.79
1.52
7.07
90.23
0.12
-
48.40
2.56
1.68
4.19
93.11
18
19