Short Communication : Assessment of soil NPK status under Ceiba pentandra plantation in Theni district of Tamil Nadu

Intensively cultivated soils are being depleted of available nutrients. Therefore, soil fertility status needs to be assessed to increase the productivity of perennial tree species. Hence the assessment of soil fertility status was carried out to know the macronutrient status of soils under Ceiba pentandra plantations. One hundred and six (106) surface (0-15 cm) and subsurface (15-30 cm) soil samples were drawn from the kapok plantations by using GPS technique. The soil samples were analysed for pH, ECe, organic matter, available nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) and the results were categorised into low, medium and high. The study revealed that surface soil samples of Theni district were acidic to neutral in pH. Bodinayakanur and Myladumparai blocks showed higher nutrient status as compared to all other blocks; may be due to the age of the plantation. In all the eight blocks, available nitrogen was low to medium even under plantation. In order to enhance the nitrogen status of the soil, sustained application of organic manures or supplementation through inorganic fertilizers is recommended. Organic carbon decreased significantly with successive increase in soil depth. The available macronutrient status was higher under plantation than agricultural crop land.