Vol. 13, Issue 3 (2024)

Potassium is the third most crucial plant nutrient, limiting plant growth and reducing crop yields. A study of the potassium status of soils and its relationship with different soil properties in soils provides valuable information for rational K fertilizer management. The investigation was conducted at UAHS, Shivamogga, to know the potassium status in soils under the paddy land use cover of the Udupi district, Karnataka. The results of the investigation revealed that the soils of the Udupi district under paddy cover were acidic with pH varying from 4.00-6.98 with low EC (0.01-0.28 dSm-1) under range, organic carbon content was found to vary between low to high (0.60-25.30 g kg-1) with low clay content and CEC, which varied from 11.20 to 23.12 cmol (p+) kg-1. The status of available potassium in the soil varied from 26.34 to 659.90 kg ha-1; out of 165 samples analyzed, 107 (64.85%) samples recorded low, 49(29.70%) samples medium, and only nine samples (5.45%) recorded high available potassium status. The potassium available in soils recorded a positive and significant correlation with clay (r = 0.482*) and a non-significant positive correlation with pH (r = 0.030), organic carbon (r = 0.010), and CEC (r = 0.308). The potassium available in soil recorded a nonsignificant negative correlation with sand (r = -0.438) and silt (r = -0.066).