Study on NPK status of soils and banana plants of Badin and Thatta district

An attempt was made to evaluate the N, P and K status of soil and Cavendish banana leaves analysis. Thirty-three banana plants were selected where from soil samples were taken at random from banana growing areas of Badin and Thatta districts. The soil and plant leaf samples were analyzed for N, P, K and Zn contents. The results shows that soils of banana growing areas of Badin and Thatta districts were heavy in texture. Soils of banana plantations of both the districts were non-saline. Soil EC was with an average value of 0.37 to 0.25 and 0.35 to 0.27 dSm-1 at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil depths. Soil pH of Badin and Thatta districts were medium to strongly alkaline in nature, with an average value of 8.2 to 8.3 and 8.1 to 8.2. Soil organic matter content of both districts were with an average value of 1.04 to 0.72 % and 1.09 to 0.79 % at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil depths. Soil total nitrogen content was with an average value of 0.064 to 0.052 and 0.059 to 0.047 at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths. Soil available phosphorus content of both district was with an average value of 4.12 to 3.30 mg per kg and 5.57 to 3.89 mg per kg at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil depths. Soil exchangeable potassium content of both districts was with an average value of 160 to 166 mg per kg and 174.44 to 22.67 mg per kg at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil depths. Soil lime contents was an average value of 13.60 to 12.4 and 9.1 to 9.7 at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil depths. Soil exchangeable calcium contents were optimum in exchangeable calcium, with an average value of 9.0 to 9.4 meq l-1 and 9.56 to 9.43 meq l-1 at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil depths. Soil exchangeable magnesium content was with an average value of 5.0 to 4.6 meq l-1 and 4.72 to 3.86 mew l-1 at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil depths. Soil available zinc content were below the critical level, with an average value of 0.325 to 0.279 mg per kg and 0.315 to 0.297 mg per kg at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm soil depths. Soil carbonates were absent in both the soils and soil bicarbonates were presents in very small amounts. Soil chloride were dominant anion in soils with an average value of 16.1 to 16.5 meq l-1 and 14.2 to 14.5 meq l-1 at 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil depths. Nitrogen concentrations of Banana leaf of Badin and Thatta districts were below critical level, with an average value of 2.29% and 2.40% while phosphorus concentrations of Banana leaf were above the critical level, with an average value of 0.48% and 0.38%. Potassium concentration of Banana leaf were above the critical level, with an average value of 6.1% and 6.9% and zinc concentration were below the critical level, with an average value of 6.61 and 7.93mg per kg. Calcium concentration of banana leaf of Badin and Thatta districts were above the critical level, with an average value of 0.68% and 0.75% and magnesium concentration were above the critical level, with an average value of 0.67% and 0.77%. Chloride concentration of banana leaf of Badin and Thatta districts were above the critical level, with an average value of 0.83% and 0.83%. The equilibrium relationship of K, Ca and Mg of banana for Badin district indicated that the adequate concentrations for K was ranged from 3.80 to 5.0%, for Ca was ranged from 0.74 to 0.86% and for Mg was ranged from 0.40 to 0.48%. The relative percentage for K were ranged from 57.72 to 61.72%, Ca was ranged from 19.05 to 21.78% and for Mg was ranged from 17.70 to 20.94%. Whereas, for Thatta district adequate concentrations for K was ranged from 3.80 to 5.20%, for Ca was ranged from 0.68 to 0.88% and Mg was ranged from 0.33 to 0.52%. The relative percentage for K was ranged from 60.05 to 61.30%, for Ca was ranged from 18.57 to 21.39% and for Mg was ranged from 17.30 to 20.94%.