Sixty five surface soil samples were collected in the flower crops grown soils of Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu. The geo-coordinates were recorded for each sample using GPS. Field maps were digitized for its field number-wise boundary and other features. Soil samples were collected, processed and anlaysed for soil physico-chemical and soil fertility properties. Analytical results of flower-grown soil samples indicated that samples were acidic to alkaline in reaction, nonsaline and slightly calcareous to non-calcareous in nature. Soil fertility groupings under percent category indicated the dominance of medium organic carbon, low available nitrogen, medium to high available phosphorus, high available potassium and low available sulphur categories. In the case of available micronutrients, the dominance of low DTPA-Fe, medium DTPA-Zn, high DTPA-Mn, medium DTPACu and high HWS-B were observed. The nutrient index values of the samples indicated that low status for organic carbon and available N, medium for available P and K while very low for available sulphur. Regarding to micro nutrients, the order of nutrient index values were B>Mn>Cu>Fe>Zn. Nutrient index values found to indicate for very low DTPA-Fe, Zn and Cu while marginal for DTPA-Mn and HWS-B. Thematic maps generated on the individual soil parameters clearly indicated the spatial variability of individual parameters in the flower grown soils of Eastern farm of Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam. The low fertile areas have to be improved by the conjoint application of organic and /or inorganic sources for enhanced flower production and sustainable soil fertility. 

Highlights

• Assessment of soil properties in flower grown soils.
• Nutrient Indexing of soils.
• Soil fertility mapping using GIS.