Abstract

A study was carried out to assess the available macro and micronutrient status of sugarcane growing soils of Uttiramerur taluk of Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu. The available nitrogen content mwas low in 96 per cent of the surface and 98 per cent of the subsurface soil samples. The available tophosphorus was low in 50 per cent of the surface and 61 per cent of the subsurface soil samples and medium in 27 per cent of the surface and 21 per cent of the subsurface soil samples and high in 23 per cent of the surface and 18 per cent of the subsurface soil samples. Forty five per cent of surface and 68 per cent of subsurface soil sample were low, 51 per cent of surface and 28 subsurface soil samples were medium and the remaining were high in available potassium. The micronutrient content of the soil samples showed that the DTPA Fe was sufficient in 98 per cent of the surface and 91 per cent of the subsurface soil samples. DTPA Mn was sufficient in 73 per cent of surface and 96 per cent of subsurface soil samples. DTPA Zn was deficient in 91 per cent of surface and 99 per cent of subsurface soil samples. DTPA Cu was sufficient in 57 per cent of surface and 40 per cent of subsurface soil samples. Hot water soluble B was found sufficient in 84 per cent of the surface soil samples.

Keywords: Available nutrients, Surface, Subsurface, Sugarcane.