Abstract:
study was made on the available nutrient status of sixty surface samples
collected from red soil (Alfisols) series identified in different regions in Kerala. Among
the major nutrients, Bray 1 extractable phosphorus recorded high values for all the
soil series. Nitrogen was low to medium in Vellayani, Cheriniyoor and Beypore,
while it was medium in Chirakkal, Bharanikkavu and Kunhimangalam series. Low
to medium levels of available potassium was observed in Chirakkal, Bharanikkavu,
Beypore and Cheriniyoor series while Kunhimangalam and Vellayani series showed
low levelsof available potassium. All the soils showed high phosphorus fixing
capacity. DTPA extractable iron and manganese were more than adequate in the
surface soils of all the soils investigated. Zinc was deficient to adequate in
Vellayani, Bharanikkavu and Kunhimangalam series and marginal to adequate in
Cheriniyoor, Beypore and Chirakkal series. Copper was deficient to adequate in
Vellayani, Cheriniyoor and Kunhimangalam series while, adequate levels were
observed in Bharanikkavu, Beypore and Chirakkal series.
