Physico-Chemical Analysis and GIS Based Study of Soil for District Swat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The current research was carried out in November 2020 in order to determine the Physico-chemical properties of the agricultural lands of District Swat. The data were contrasted with the standard parameters for classifying these properties as low, medium, and adequate. Samples from 43 different agricultural lands were collected for the study area keeping in mind the variation in altitudes. The data showed that the soil is slightly acidic to alkaline (6.57 – 8.66).  EC from (0.03 – 0.403 dSm-1) showing the soil non-saline (<4 dSm-1). The texture of the soils was mostly silt loam and loamy sand. The soil in the study area was found to be moderate calcareous. Geo-statistical and GIS-based analysis was also conducted which revealed a strong dependency for phosphorus and clay, while moderate spatial dependency for the remaining attributes. Ordinary kriging successfully interpolated each of the soil attributes. Different degrees of heterogeneity were observed via spatial correlation depicting different field management factors. Predicted maps can better guide agricultural workers to conduct better soil management practices and updated fertilizers application rates for upcoming seasonal crops. This study recommends a detailed management plan based on site-specific soil tests. Apart from this. awareness programs should be arranged for the farmers. Low phosphorous products like bone meal, pine mulches and gypsum should be applied to the study area.