Nutrient Enrichment of the Coconut Soils of the Humid Kerala Coast through Monsoon Precipitations

Abstract

ASSESSMENTS of the agricultural value of the mineral nutrient contents of rain water have been made and recorded in several different geographical and climatic zones of the world^1–12. Some regions appear to receive appreciable replenishments from the precipitations while in others the amounts so added are comparatively small and of doubtful significance for the nutrient economy of the arable soils of the region. In general, in the equatorial regions nitrogen, including both the inorganic and organic forms, is the element reported as received in appreciable quantities^1,11, although Jones² reported rather high figures for potassium (32.8 lb./acre) and sodium (53.8 lb./acre) as well, from Nigeria. The information so far available, however, pertains only to comparatively low and medium rainfall regions.