Assessment of Physico-Chemical Properties of Soil from Different Blocks of Sahibganj District, Jharkhand, India

An evaluation of physico-chemical properties of 27 soil samples from 3 different blocks ie., Sahibganj, Borio and Taljhari of Sahibganj district (Jharkhand) in different depths (0–15, 15–30 and 30–45 cm) was carried out during of 2022-2023. The present investigation was objectified as determination of soil Physico-chemical properties to analyse the soil fertility status with finding out the deficiency and toxicity of different soil nutrients. Soil samples were analyzed using standard laboratory techniques and statistical analysis. The treatments in them study were arranged in a Completely Randomized Design. The bulk density of the soils varied from 1.13 to 1.53 Mg m-3, while the particle density ranged from 2.24 to 2.69 Mg m-3. The percentage of pore space was between 36.88 and 49.55% and water holding capacity was between 31.11 and 44.71%. Soil pH varied from 6.28 to 7.90 which was neutral to slightly saline with soil EC ranged 0.02-0.64 dS m-1 that would significantly affect crop production. In the case of the organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus content of research area was found to be low to medium while the range of Potassium was sufficient ranging from 176.34 to 271.77 kg ha1. In these areas recommended fertilizer doses should be applied as per soil test crop response to prevent yield losses due to deficiency of nutrients.

Vaccination coverage and its determinants in rural areas of district Doda of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Background: India accounts for the highest number of under-five deaths in the world. Estimates claim that 89 lakh children in India receive fewer vaccines or no vaccine at all. One out of every three children in India does not receive all vaccines under the universal immunization programme. 5% children in urban and 8% children in rural areas remain unimmunized. According to NFHS-4 data complete vaccination coverage in India stands at 62%. The objectives of this study were to evaluate complete vaccination coverage, dropout rate and identify factors for failure of vaccination coverage in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, state of India.Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted to evaluate the complete vaccination coverage by using an interview schedule devised as per WHO-UNICEF coverage cluster survey reference manual and National Immunization Schedule. A pre-determined sample size according to the WHO-UNICEF coverage cluster survey reference manual was adopted for the purpose of the study.Results: Of the total 207 children included in the study 66.2% (n=137) were fully immunized. 19.8% of the children had dropped out and did not receive the recommended dose of pentavalent vaccine. Among the reasons for low complete vaccination coverage, lack of awareness, mother too busy and vaccinator being absent were identified as the major reasons.Conclusions: Complete vaccination coverage has shown an increase with an increase in the coverage of the individual vaccines. But the coverage is still low and more efforts are needed to further improve the vaccination coverage.