Soil fertility level and nutrient index for important nutrients in the Macuata province of Fiji Islands
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Abstract
The research investigation determined the soil fertility status and nutrient index values in the Macuata province of Fiji. The results revealed that the soils of the farms of the study area are acidic in reaction with average soil pH of 5.10, have moderate levels of soil organic carbon (2.47%), moderate levels of total nitrogen (0.20%), low levels of available phosphorus (10.63 mg/kg), however, the soils had a high content of exchangeable potassium (0.71 cmol/kg), exchangeable calcium (16.82 cmol/kg) and exchangeable magnesium (8.93 cmol/kg). The soil nutrient index value (NIV) calculated of nitrogen and available phosphorus were recorded as low at 1.65 and 1.28 respectively. The NIV for soil organic carbon was medium with 1.99. The calculated nutrient index value for exchangeable potassium, exchangeable calcium, and exchangeable magnesium content was recorded as high with 2.72, 2.91, and 2.72 values, respectively. Further studies could be carried out to determine the soil's physicochemical properties and other available plant nutrients in the area.
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