ISHS Acta Horticulturae 735: I International Guava Symposium
CHARACTERIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF GUAVA GROWING SOILS IN BHANDARA DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA AND THEIR SUITABILITY EVALUATION |
| Authors: | S.D. Sarade, J. Prasad |
| Keywords: | guava, Pedon, smectite, soil |
| Abstract:
Six typical pedons supporting guava, representing Betala (P1), Sukali (P2), Ghatkurora (P3 & P4), Khamari (P5) and Surewara (P6) sites, developed in recent alluvium (flood plain) of river Wainganga, in Bhandara district of Maharashtra state were characterized for their physical and chemical properties and taxonomically classified. These pedons are deep (>100 cm) and had their Munsell colour notation in 10YR with value 3 to 5 and chroma 2 to 6 (yellowish brown to very dark grayish brown). The dominant structure is moderate medium sub-angular blocky barring few exceptions. In general, the sand, silt and clay content ranged from 5.6 to 81.7, 1.2 to 34.1 and 15.2 to 60.3 per cent, respectively. Pedon 1 and 2 are relatively coarser than others and that reflected in their bulk density (1.35–1.79 Mg m-3). Except P1 and P2, other pedons had higher COLE, LE and smectite content and thereby retain higher moisture at 33 and 1500 kPa suctions. Pedon 5 and 6 are calcareous and moderately alkaline but others are neutral. The CEC of soils varied from 8.8 to 40.5 cmol(p+)kg-1. The surface and sub-surface layers had higher organic carbon content than underlying ones. DTPA-extractable Mn and Fe in soils were higher than Cu and Zn. Zn was found to be deficient in all the soils (0.16 - 0.72 mg kg-1). N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn concentration in the leaves of guava varied from 1.23 to 1.81, 0.03 to 0.10, 0.71 to 1.71 per cent, 303 to 570, 50 to 150, 11.3 to 20.0 and 35 to 48 mg kg-1, respectively. Comparing the critical limits, the leaves of guava were deficient in N (P2 and P4), P and Cu (all sites) and K (P3, P5 and P6). Depending upon diagnostic horizons, P1 and P2 are classified as fine-loamy, mixed Fluventic Haplustepts; P3, P4 and P6 as fine, smectitic Vertic Haplustepts, P5 as Clayey over loamy, smectitic Vertic Haplustepts. As per criteria, P1 is rated as moderately suitable (S2), P2, P3 and P4 as marginally suitable (S3) and P5 and P6 as non-suitable (N). On computation of the existing limitations, a new criterion has been proposed which indicate that P2 is highly suitable (S1), P1, P3 and P4 are moderately suitable and others are marginally suitable. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
