Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2018) 7(5): 3643-3654 3642 Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.705.420 GIS Based Site Specific Major Nutrient Maps and Recommendations for Coconut (Cocus nucifera L.) Gardens M. Dinesh Kumar 1* , Binny Gopal 1 and B.C. Dhananjaya 2 1 Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga- 577225, Karnataka, India 2 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga- 577225, Karnataka, India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT Introduction The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera Linn.), is a member of the family Palmae (palm family). In the world, it occupies an area of 12196 thousand hectares with 69836 million nuts (Anon., 2016). Indonesia, Philippines and India are the top three countries producing coconut. In India, it is grown mostly along the coastal regions in almost 18 states and three union territories with an area of 2089 thousand hectares, an annual production of 1427milion nuts with the productivity of 22167 nuts per hectare (Anon., 2016). Karnataka stands third International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 05 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Spatial distribution of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were studied from 99 coconut farmers covering 195 acres representing different irrigation situations in Chikkapattanagere of Chikkamagaluru district, Doddaghatta of Davangere district, Siriyur of Shivamogga district and Madhure of Chitradurga district of Karnataka state, India. The gardens selected were aged 20-25 years with varying management levels. The Standard technique of grid method of sampling at 50x50 m spacing was employed to collect soil samples from selected study area at two depths (0-30 and 30-60 cm) with geographical identity by GPS. The soil samples were analyzed for major nutrients by following standard procedure. Across all locations, nitrogen status remained low while that of phosphorus shared medium to high status in equal proportion. Concerning potassium, 68 per cent of the topsoil had high status. Fertility mapping of each area was drawn using these data on GIS environment, Fertilizer recommendations based on soil test values for each grid is employed to calculate major nutrients required for fertilizer application. The comparison was made for package recommendation and the site specific recommendation. Rescheduling of major nutrients based on site specific variations of 0-30 cm emphasized slightly higher application (844 kg) of nitrogen and marginally less application of phosphorus and potassium. The study reveals the variations in the application of nutrients providing scope for re-allocation of these resources based on site specificity. Depending on site specific nutrient variations, nutrient application advisories were made for farmers in each location. Keywords Coconut, GIS, Grid, Fertilizers, Site specific, STV Accepted: 26 April 2018 Available Online: 10 May 2018 Article Info