An experiment were conducted during 2020 to assess soil status for tomato growing site at Sultanpur, U.P.. Composite soil samples in surface (0-15 cm) and subsurface (15-30 cm) were collected from 100 locations by following random sampling technique in intensively growing tomato fields of Jaisinghpur block during 2020 by considering their physiographic units to estimate various physico-chemical properties. Kashi Aman tomato variety procured from ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi,U.P.. Samples were analyzed for texture, BD and MWHC as physical properties. Results revealed that both surface and subsurface soils were comprised of sandy loam texture, as depth increases there was increased BD and decreased MWHC. The soils were slightly acidic and non-saline in nature, The extent of deficiency of organic carbon content increased with increasing depth (0.51 and 0.34 g/cc) but CEC varied from surface (9.44 meq/ 100g) to subsurface (10.04 meq/ 100g). Soils were deficient in available N (175.54 and 117.67 N kg ha-1) and moderate in available K content (290.64 and 227.45 K2O kg ha1 )in both the depths, but available phosphorous found at varied levels in soil (39.31 and 26.70 P2O5 kg ha-1)and sufficient quantity of secondary nutrients were found in the soil. DTPA extractable Zn, Fe and Mn showed decreasing trend but Cu and hot water-soluble B showed increasing trend with increased depth. Correlation of nutrients indicate its variation in availability and also the relationship among various nutrients. Low organic carbon and nutrients in soils were attributed to low application of recommended dose of organic manures, high temperature and imbalanced application of fertilizers, especially in dry zone areas. Hence, availability of nutrients in soil influenced by amount and type of fertilizers application, cropping system and management practices followed by the farmers. 

Keywords: Soil properties, fertility status, intense tomato growing soils, surface and subsurface soils.

Trilok Nath Rai is SMS, Soil Science of the Soil, Plant and Water Analysis Laboratory at the KVK (ICAR-IIVR), Kushinagar. He has been with ICAR since 2009 and has played a pivotal role in the establishment, development, and modernizing of the Laboratory facilities. He was author of the different books and bulleting. He has also been associated with the publications of articles in refereed journals related to laboratory management, technical training, and quality control. Rai has a M.Sc.Ag. in Soil Science from C. S. Azad University (2001) and Doctorate from BHU,Varanasi (2009). Besides being active in soil fertility research, he works in the field of agro-ecosystem modeling, and has published numerous research articles, book chapters’ conference proceedings and online publications.He attended different conference seminars, symposia, trainings. He is presently working as SMS, Soil Science at KVK(ICAR-CSSRI),Sanila, Hardoi-II. He attended many farmers fairs, exhibition, Gosthi and delivered lecture on different aspects of Soil Science and crop production since 2009.

                                   He completed projects like ISOPOM, NFSM/NMOOP, NICRA, CSISA, DAMU, SCSP,CRM, Natural farming, GKRA, Kisan Sarathi, Vikshit bharat sankalp yatra, sodic soil reclamation, election duty 2024, etc.. Soil health cards distribution (Centralised scheme of Government of India) among farmers (1550 cards distributed on 5th December, World soil day) and prepared soil fertility map of KVK (ICAR-IIVR) Kushinagar in 2015. I have joined many societies as annual members & life membership.

Innovations introduced: ( Commercialization of technologies developed Since, 2009 to 2024)

The main activity of KVKs are OFTs ( unproven technology) at farmers fields. I have conducted OFTs on saline-alkali soils for different crops like, wheat (KRL-19, KRL 210 & KRL 213) paddy ( CSR 36, CSR 10, CSR 56, CSR 46, CSR 23,Usar dhan 3 & NDR 359) Mustard ( CS 52, CS 54, CS 56 & CS 60). For varietal evaluation in all above crops farmers was not aware about all above varieties. Therefore, farmers cultivated wheat ( HUW 234, PBW 154, PBW 343 etc.) paddy (MTU 7029, BPT 5204, Sarjoo 52, Hybrids etc.) mustard ( Varuna, Rohini, vardan etc.). In trials farmers taken varieties from KVKs and aware about salt tolerant varieties of wheat, paddy and mustard and proceeds for cultivation and very good responses given by farmers. All selected farmers replaced the varieties by suggestions from KVKs., farmers produces seeds for sale to other farmers in the districts. Imbalance use of fertilizers in all crops by farmers specially in mustard no use of sulphur recorded. KVKs suggested farmers to use sulphur in oilseeds for good quqlity of oil content. I have conducted OFTs on weed management in paddy, INM in paddy, varietal evaluation of aromatic rice among farmers at farmers fields. Results indicated that the application of bispyibac,,green manuring and P 2511 given better response over other treatments also adopted technology with farmers.

How to take soil samples from field . Farmer was not taken soil samples due to unawareness about sampling methods. I have conducted trainings and soil test campaign among farmers and farmers collected samples and brings to KVK. I have established soil and water testing units at KVK, Kushinagar with all equipments for analyses of major nutrients and water testing facility available at KVK.

I have conducted demonstrations on off season maize in Kushinagar. Kushinagar basically known for sugarcane cultivation, after harvesting of sugarcane in late December to January all fields are fellow upto july therefore, losses of nutrients from soils taken places due to high temperature. I have conducted front line demonstration on maize in last month of December to January,  farmers are agree for cultivation of maize in off seasons. After harvesting of maize in june-july farmers transplanted paddy (P-2511) short duration and paddy harvested in November, after this farmers taken mustard/toria. Again in February- March farmers taken sugarcane, which is profitable to farmers in rice-wheat cropping system.

I have conducted training for rural youth (RY), provided to young school drop-outs (18 to 35 years age) on topics BGA and azolla productin, seed production of pulses, cereals. I have conducted training for skill developments on mushroom, honey bee, fish productions etc. among farmers which is beneficial to the society. Resource conservation technologies, like zero tillage sowing of wheat , lasser land leveler, bed planting, trench metod of sugarcane sowing, mulching with rice and wheat straw, soil solarization, summer deep ploughing, Green-manuring on sesbania & sunhemp etc. developed by me at three KVK ( Bhadohi, Kushinagar & Hardoi-II) during 2009 to 2024.