Chemical characteristics and macro nutrient status of soils in Meenapur block (Muzaffarpur district) of northern Bihar

The chemical characteristics and macro nutrient status of soils in Meenapur block of Muzaffarpur district of North Bihar were studied by collecting randomly surface soil (0-15 cm) samples from 308 sites. These soil samples were analyzed for pH, EC, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and categorized as low, medium and high as per criteria followed in the soil testing laboratories. The pH of soil samples ranged from 7.10 to 8.50, EC varies from 0.08 to 0.22 dsm-1 and organic carbon content of the soils ranged from 0.35 to 0.59 per cent. The content of available nitrogen (N) varied from 136.83 to 193.30 kg/ha, available phosphorus (P) from 9.00 to 17.40 kg/ha and available potassium (K) from 107.43 to 165.50 kg/ha. Key Words: Nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphorus, potassium, soil.