Articles | Volume 7, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-7-979-2016
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-7-979-2016
Research article
 | 
28 Jun 2016
Research article |  | 28 Jun 2016

Spatial variability of some soil properties varies in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) plantations of west coastal area of India

Sanjib Kumar Behera, Kancherla Suresh, Bezawada Narsimha Rao, Ravi Kumar Mathur, Arvind Kumar Shukla, Kamireddy Manorama, Kummari Ramachandrudu, Parasa Harinarayana, and Chandra Prakash

Abstract. Mapping spatial variability of soil properties is the key to efficient soil resource management for sustainable crop yield. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the spatial variability of soil properties such as acidity (pH), salinity (electrical conductivity (EC)), organic carbon, available K, available P, exchangeable Ca2+, exchangeable Mg2+, available S and hot water soluble B in surface (0–20 cm) and subsurface (20–40 cm) soil layers of oil palm plantations in south Goa district of Goa located in west coastal area of India. A total of 128 soil samples were collected from 64 oil palm plantations of Goa located at an approximate interval of 1–2 km and analyzed. Soil was acidic to neutral in reaction. Other soil properties varied widely in both the soil layers. Correlations between soil pH and exchangeable Ca2+, between soil EC and available K, between available P and available S and between exchangeable Ca2+ and exchangeable Mg2+ in both the soil layers were found to be positive and significant (P < 0.01). Geostatistical analysis revealed a varied spatial distribution pattern for the measured soil properties. Best-fit models for measured soil properties were exponential, Gaussian, stable, K-Bessel and spherical with moderate to strong spatial dependency. The results revealed that site-specific fertilizer management options needed to be adopted in the oil palm plantations of the study area owing to variability in soil properties.

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Short summary
This study analyzed the spatial variability of some soil properties in surface and subsurface soil layers of oil palm plantations in the south Goa district of Goa situated in western coastal area of India. The studied soil properties in surface and subsurface layers varied widely. Geostatistical analysis revealed different spatial distribution patterns for the soil properties. The generated prediction maps are useful for site-specific soil nutrient management in the area.