~ 1075 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2020; 9(6): 1075-1080 E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 www.phytojournal.com JPP 2020; 9(6): 1075-1080 Received: 20-08-2020 Accepted: 08-10-2020 DN Nalge Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India SM Bhoyar Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India Anjali A Pardhi Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India PW Deshmukh Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India DV Mali Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India NR Dange Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India Corresponding Author: DN Nalge Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India Nutrient status and nutrient index of different land use system in Dharni tehsil of Melghat region in Maharashtra state DN Nalge, SM Bhoyar, Anjali A Pardhi, PW Deshmukh, DV Mali and NR Dange Abstract A detailed soil survey was carried out at tribal area in Dharni tahasil of Melghat region during the year 2017-2019. In present investigation data on natural resources such as soil fertility and present land use system aspect were generated studied and analyzed. The study covered whole tribal area to identified different landform units to understand the soil heterogeneity as well as the present land use. Twenty four (24) representative soil profiles were selected for sampling and analyzed for pH, Electrical conductivity, Organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium and available micro nutrient (Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu). The soils were neutral to moderately alkaline in nature and free from soluble salts hazards. Soils are medium in organic carbon. Nutritionally, soils in this high rainfall region showed lower content of available N and P and higher in available K, however, medium to higher in available micronutrient status viz. Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu. Nutrient index values showed that available N and P were in low category, OC, CaCO3, available Zn and Fe were moderately high, available Mn was in higher category, however, available K and Cu were very high in nutrient index values in Dharni Tahasil. Thus there is need of proper land use according to capability of land by identifying the constraints for the production of available land. In order to use the land resources optimally on sustainable basis and also adaptation of management practice for increasing the fertility of soil. Keywords: Soil survey, resources, fertility, sustainability, Melghat Introduction Land is the basic component of production systems and meets the basic requirement of all life on the earth. It is a natural resource providing most benefits to human kinds. However, it is a finite vital resource on whose proper use depend the life supporting systems of a country and socioeconomic development of the people (Sehgal, 1990) [9] . Maintaining, the present level of soil productivity and for meeting out the demand of the future, management of soil resources on scientific principles is very important. Therefore, increased emphasis is being laid on soil fertility and developing scientific criteria for land evaluation and interpretation of soils for multifarious land uses. At present productivity of the soil is observed to be reduced at a slow rate but in a continuous phase. Since the climatic attributes of the region are not changing at the faster rate, it is only the soil attributes which are causing reduction in the productivity. The low productivity might be due to the degradation of the land resource and also Imbalanced and inadequate use of chemical fertilizers, improper irrigation and various cultural practices also deplete the soil fertility rapidly (Medhe et al., 2012) [4] . Hence it is necessary to assess the fertility status of soil with the consideration of available nutrients status of soil, proper planning for increasing the productivity of area. Materials and Methods The field study was carried out in the Dharni tahasil of Maharashtra. The Dharni lies between 21°33′ and 21°.55’ North latitudes and 76°53′ and 76°.88’ East longitudes. This region boasts of thick forests spread over the Satpura mountain range. The forest has predominantly teak and bamboo. Dharni Tahasil Max. Temp. is ranges from 32 0 C to 42 0 C and Min. Temp. is ranges from 5 0 C to 22 0 C. Annual rainfall is 1350 to 1450 mm.The major natural vegetation of the area in general comprises dry deciduous mixed tree species, some grasses and shrubs species The commonly observed tree species are teak (Tectona grandis), palas, (Butea monosperma), ber (Ziziphus jujuba), khair (Acacia catechu), neem (Azadirata indica), babul (Acacia arabica), mango (Mangifera indica), mahua (Madhuca lalifolia) and Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala). The major crops grown in the kharif season are soybean (Glycine max), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), pigean pea (Cajanus cajan), groundnut (Arachis hypogea), maize