CHEMICAL PROFILE AND MINERAL STATUS OF SOIL AND WATER IN THE FISH SEED REARING PONDS AT M.N CAMP OF CHIKMAGALUR DISTRICT, KARNATAKA

A study was conducted for a period of six months from March to August 2016 to know the chemical parameters and mineral status of the fish seed rearing ponds of M.N camp of Chikmagalur district, Karnataka, four ponds were selected for the study. Water and soil samples were collected and various important parameters were analyzed using standard procedure. Average soil pH ranged from 7.32-8.25; electrical conductivity (EC) ranged from 0.30-0.50dS/m, Organic carbon between 0.45 to 0.60%; available nitrogen was 9.2 to 11.5mg/100 gm and phosphorous was ranged from 1.2-2.7mg/100gm respectively. However, metals like iron, copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium of water and soil samples of fish ponds were estimated using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results revealed that Fe, Cu, Mn, content in soil samples was maximum. In the water samples, higher concentration of Fe, Zn, Ca, Mg, Na and K in fish pond water samples were recorded. From this study, it can be concluded that aquatic environment of the fish ponds for M.N Camp village was better for fish culture.