AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SOIL FERTILITY AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES IN THE COMMAND AREA OF DARAWAT DAM

Due to the growing demand of food and fibers, natural resources are under significant pressure. To increase production and improve yield, new agricultural areas are being developed. These developments can disrupt ecosystems by altering land cover and use patterns, diverting streams for irrigation, and extracting groundwater. In some cases, the conversion of land into irrigated area leads to land degradation and ultimately reduces the agricultural productivity over time. In this context, effective water management plays a crucial role in maintaining soil's quality and fertility. The Darawat Dam, situated on the Nai Baran River near Janghri village, approximately 70 km from Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan, is a critical infrastructure project, designed to develop a new command area and to increase the agricultural productivity through the development of irrigation systems. The dam plays a pivotal role in sustainable land use and water management in the region, as it improves groundwater recharge and aids in flood control. Considering this context, this study explores the existing fertility status and physico-chemical characteristics of soil within the command area of Darawat Dam, aiming to contribute towards sustainable water and water management. Soil samples were collected from two depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm) using an auger, with a total of fifty samples analyzed. The findings indicate that the soils in this area range from sandy loam to clay loam and are non-saline (EC 0.065-0.744 dS m-1) and slightly alkaline (pH 7.0-8.0). No salinity hazard was observed based on the soluble cations and SAR values. However, the organic matter levels are low (0.227-1.557%), as are available phosphorus (2.66-16.44 mg kg­^-1) and potassium (80-290 mg kg­^-1) levels, suggesting potential nutrient deficiencies for high-input agriculture. Additionally, water availability and management within the catchment area are vital factors influencing soil fertility and agricultural productivity, as they impact the nutrient transport and soil moisture levels