Impact of Bt Cotton on Soil Fertility in Cotton Growing Belt of Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh

摘要

Thirty representative surface soil samples were collected to check from cotton growing belt of Guntur district effect of long term cultivation of Bt cotton on soil properties (12 samples each from Bt cotton cultivated areas continuously for 2 to 5 years, 8 to 10 years and 6 samples from areas under non Bt cotton). All the 30 soil samples were analysed for physico-chemical properties and available nutrient contents. Results revealed that all the soil samples were slightly alkaline in reaction, low inorganic carbon and nitrogen, medium to high in phosphorus, very high in potassium, sufficient in sulphur, manganese, copper but deficient in zinc and iron.