Digital Fertility Mapping of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Amritsar for Climate Smart Fertilization

Present study aims to develop digital soil maps (DSMs) for Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Amritsar, India, to facilitate climate-smart fertilization. Using GPS technology, a boundary map of the KVK was created, followed by the collection of forty soil samples from different blocks at a depth of up to 15 cm. These samples were analyzed for soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC), available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and micronutrients such as zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe). The results indicates that the soil pH ranged from 7.60 to 8.80, while EC ranged from 0.30 to 0.71 m-mhos cm^-1, with a sandy loam texture. SOC levels varied between 0.18% and 0.56%, available N varied from 28.85 to 46.41 mg kg^-1, available P varied from 5.33 and 7.26 mg kg^-1, and available K reported to be consistently higher across all samples. Station’s DTPA-Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu was higher in range with mean values varied as 1.35 to 4.39, 14.11 to 77.91, 13.27 to 27.86 and 1.29 to 6.27 mg kg^-1, respectively. The Parker Nutrient Index (PNI) values of the samples reported to be lower for SOC and available N while middle for available P and higher for available K, and other micronutrients (3.0), respectively. In order to address these geographical soil variances, digital soil maps (DSM) for various nutrients were ultimately created utilizing GPS-60 (GARMIN) by first creating an outer boundary map and then superimposing various values. In order to prudently and climate-smartly meet the nutrient requirements of the various field crops grown at the station, DSM-based soil test-based fertilization is therefore necessary at this time.