RESUMEN
Mapping of soil properties is an important operation as it plays an important role in the knowledge about soil properties and how it can be used sustainably. Knowledge of soil variability of any region is crucial for development of site-specific management practices for that region as this will enhance the crop productivity and maintain the good soil health. With this background, present study was conducted to quantify the spatial variability of different soil physical properties and soil available micronutrients in Ujjain tehsil (Ujjain) district of Madhya Pradesh state, India. A total one hundred fifty geo-coded surface (0-15 cm depth) soil samples, were collected across the study area. These samples were analyzed using standard method for different some soil properties viz: soil texture (sand, silt and clay) and soil available micronutrients, viz. extractable zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) in laboratory. The range of sand, silt, clay, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn in the study region were varied from 9.15 to 24.06 %, 24.00 to 41.55 %, 40.20 to 58.60 %, 0.12 to 1.66 mg kg-1, 2.06 to 6.22 mg kg-1, 3.70 to 10.40 mg kg-1, and 2.41 to 14.64 mg kg-1, respectively. The data were analyzed using standard statistical methods and geostatistics, which included creating semi-variograms and mapping by standard kriging procedures. Semi-variograms were produced for soil properties and their regional distributions were plotted. The observed soil parameters were best represented by four models: Exponential, Circular, Gaussian, and Hole effect. The modelled variables showed strong and moderate spatial dependencies, as demonstrated by the Nugget/Sill (Co/Co+C) ratio. The distribution maps of soil features may serve as a reference for implementing site-specific crop management in soils with comparable characteristics. Further, this research indicates the relevance of GIS- application in soil variability investigations.
RESUMEN
A field experiment was conducted at the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Mandsaur (M.P.) during Rabi season of year 2019-20 to study the “Influence of varieties and nutrient levels on growth, yield and profitability of palak (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis)”. The experiment comprised of two varieties V1 (Pusa Bharati), V2 (All Green) and 6 different nutrient levels (N1- 00:00:00 NPK kg/ha, N2- 40:30:20 NPK kg/ha, N3- 60:40:30 NPK kg/ha, N4- 80:50:40 NPK kg/ha, N5- 100:60:50 NPK kg/ha and N6- 120:70:60 NPK kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with three replications. The variety Pusa Bharati was found significantly better plant height (26.87 cm, 31.88 cm and 32.12 cm), maximum number of leaves per plant (8.18, 13.70 and 14.02), maximum leaf area (31.28 cm2, 76.53 cm2 and 79.88 cm2), maximum fresh green yield per plant (19.12 g, 20.64 g and 21.79 g), maximum fresh green yield per hectare (191.19, 206.36 and 217.90 q/ha) at 1st, 2nd and 3rd cuttings, respectively. The significantly higher economic performance in terms of gross income (Rs. 246180.00/ha), net income (Rs. 196695.63/ha) and B:C ratio (3.95) was observed with variety Pusa Bharti.Among nutrient levels, N6 (120:70:60 NPK kg/ha) found better for growth, yield and economics i.e., plant height (30.92 cm, 35.04 cm and 35.66 cm), maximum number of leaves per plant i.e. 9.60, 16.10 and 17.99, maximum leaf area i.e. 34.16 cm2, 83.31 cm2 and 88.76 cm2, maximum fresh green yield per plant i.e. 20.27 g, 22.31 g and 24.46 g, maximum fresh green yield per hectare i.e. 202.72, 223.12 and 224.62 q/ha at 1st, 2nd and 3rd cuttings, respectively, highest gross income (Rs. 268180/ha), net income (Rs. 215587.30 /ha) and B:C ratio (4.10) was found with nutrient level N6 (120:70:60 NPK kg/ha). It may be concluded that variety V1 (Pusa Bharati) and nutrient level N6 (120:70:60 NPK kg/ha) showed better performance for growth, yield and economics in spinach.