IMPACT OF SOIL AMELIORATION RECOMMENDATIONS ON BIVOLTINE SERICULTURE DEVELOPMENT DURING CLUSTER PROMOTION PROGRAMME IN ANDHRA PRADESH

A total of 1472 composite soil samples were collected from the Bivoltine sericulture farmers under Cluster Promotion Programme (CPP) to assess the prevailing nutrient status spread over in 8 Districts of Andhra Pradesh. The soils were subjected for the chemical analysis for soil pH, EC, OC, available macro (N, P & K) and micro (S) nutrients, respectively. The results indicate that mean values of the soil pH was ranged from 6.55 to 7.75 among the soils of the state. Desired level of soil pH (6.5-75) was recorded among 56% soils followed by 32% with high pH (>7.5) and 12% with low level of pH (<6.5). Electrical conductivity (EC) was ranged from 0.06 to 0.33 dS/m registering with 99% soils were ideal with soluble salts (<1.0 dS/m) for mulberry cultivation among all the soils of the state. Organic carbon (OC) was recorded in the range of 0.35 to 0.61% among the soils of various districts. OC distribution was noticed that 74% soils with low level of OC (<0.65%), 22% in medium (0.65-1.0%) where as only 4% soils recorded with higher OC content (>1.0%). In case of essential macronutrients, available Nitrogen (N) was recorded in the range of 208.4 to 388.1kg/ha. In Nitrogen distribution 49% soils with low level N (<250kg/ha), 39% with ideal (250-500kg/ha) and only 12% soils resulted with higher level of N (>500kg/ha) among the districts. Available Phosphorous (P) was recorded between 15.07 to 82.33kg/ha contributing to 47% soils with rich in P (>25kg/ha), 31% with low level of P (<10kg) whereas 22% soils in desired level of P (10-25kg/ha). Potassium (K) content was ranged in 210.1 to 437.9kg/ha. The same was distributed high (>224kg/ha) in 58% soils, desired level (110-224kg/ha) in 35% soils, however only 8% soils were recorded with low level of K (<110kg/ha). In case of micronutrient, Sulphur (S) recorded in 7.66 to 32.8 ppm/ha exhibiting 63% soils with higher S (>15ppm/ha) content followed by 25% soils with desired level of S (10-15ppm/ha) whereas 12% soils only registered with low levels of S (<10ppm/ha) indicating that most of the cluster soils are rich in sulphur.