Evaluation of Crop Suitability and Soil Variability in District Sialkot, Pakistan

Abstract

Within district Sialkot, Pakistan, the spatial variability of soil parameters such as ECe, Saturation %age, pH, Organic Matter, Phosphorus, and Potassium is thoroughly evaluated and analysed across various locations. The soil and water testing laboratory in Sialkot conducted a thorough examination of around 1,000 individual samples from 4 tehsils of the district Sialkot (446 samples from Pasrur, 283 samples from Sialkot, 217 samples from Daska, and 54 samples from Sambrial). The findings of this study can aid in selecting the best crops for each tehsil based on its soil parameters and in formulating sensible plans of action. The loamy (486), sandy loam (251), sand (124), silt loam (89), and clay loam (50) textures of the sampled soils varied. The soils had EC ranging from 0.320 to 12.360, with a 0.914 difference and a mean of 1.615. The soil pH ranged from 6.6 to 9.780, with a variance of 0.405 and a mean of 7.976. It was found that 884 soil samples were categorized as normal, 105 as sodic, 6 as saline, and 5 as saline-sodic after the pH and EC of the soil were examined. In terms of organic matter, around 27.5% of soils had poor levels (<0.86%), 48.1% had excellent levels (0.86-1.29%), and 24.4% had adequate levels (>1.29%). 41% of soils had good levels of phosphorus (7–14 ppm), 13.6% had sufficient levels (>14 ppm), and 45.2% had poor levels (< 7 ppm). Phosphorus concentrations in soil varied from 5.5% poor (less than 90 ppm) to 46.5% satisfactory (between 90 and 180 ppm) and 48% sufficient (beyond 180 ppm). Based on the characteristics of the soil in each tehsil, the study findings may be used to determine the best crops to grow there and to design effective plans for managing the soil and producing crops. These results offer insightful information on the soil properties of District Sialkot and can help guide decisions about crop choices and soil management strategies that are customized to the unique circumstances of each tehsil. For example, the sand-rich, mostly low saturation soil of Sialkot tehsil is good for Group A crops like cotton and maize, while the mixed saturation and clay loam texture of Pasrur make it perfect for Group C crops like sugarcane.