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Studies on pedogenesis and nutrient
indexing of apple (Red Delicious)
growing soils of Kashmir
Gh.Rasool Najar
Dr.Nirmal Singh
PhD
2002
Pedogenesis,Apple orchard soils
ABSTRACT
Horticulture is an important fruit industry of the state economy contributing
Rupees 500 crores towards the state exchequer through the production of 7,51,310 metric
tonnes of apple fruit per year. The production of quality apple 10.5 tonnes ha-1 (GOI,
1998-99) though higher in the country is far below than 40.7 tonnes ha-1 of U.S.A. (Nagi
et al.,1998). The various essentials like soil, site characteristics, pedogenesis and nutrition
needed for high yields of quality apple have not been given due attention. Not only the
inadequate and imbalanced fertilizer application effects the yield and quality of fruit even
the balanced fertilizer application is likely to prove ineffective, if the knowledge of soil
characteristics is not given due cognizance. The pedogenesis on the other hand provides
information pertinent to the soil – site suitability for cultivation of fruit crops and also
helps in transfer of agro technology. Since the information with regard to pedogenesis
and nutrient indexing of apple (Red Delicious) growing soils of Kashmir are quite
meager, therefore, the investigation entitled, “Studies on pedogenesis and nutrient
indexing of apple (Red Delicious) growing soils of Kashmir” was undertaken with the
following objectives:
1. To study the pedogenesis of apple growing soils and to classify them as per soil
taxonomy.
2. To investigate the nutrient status of apple orchard soils and the leaf nutrient
contents.
3. To study the mineralogical built up of apple soils.
4. To find out the relationship between soil characteristics leaf nutrient content and
fruit yield.
Twelve soil profiles exposed from three physiographic zones viz; high altitude,
karewa and valley basin were studied for their morphological, physico-chemical and
mineralogical characteristics. Based on soil taxonomy the soils were classified into
Argiudolls, Hapludolls, Udorthents, Hapludalfs and Eutrochrepts. X-ray diffraction of the
clays showed illite as pre dominant clay mineral followed by chlorite, kaolinite, smectite
and mixed layer minerals. Besides soil, leaf and fruit samples from 36 orchards from
these zones were collected and investigated for nutritional status, for findings the
relationship between soil and leaf nutrient contents and soil and leaf nutrient content with
yield.
The apple orchard soils were slightly acidic to slightly alkaline in reaction with
normal electrical conductivity. The pH and electrical conductivity varies significantly in
these zones with their lower values in high altitude soils. The calcium carbonate content
varied from 0.10 to 10.5 per cent and varied significantly in these zones with higher value
in karewa soils. The organic carbon was medium to high and varied significantly in these
zones with higher content in high altitude soils. The cation exchange capacity ranged
from 11.40 to 25.40 [C mol (P+) kg-1] with exchangeable calcium as dominant cation
followed by magnesium and potassium. The cation exchange capacity exhibited a
significant variation with altitude. The available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
ranged from 30.10 to 162.8, 8.0 to 27.5 and 93.0 to 280.8 ppm, respectively and varied
significantly with altitude. The contents of available calcium, magnesium and sulphur
varied from 1760.0 to 3680.0, 72.0 to 1088.0 and 7.60 to 12.10 ppm, respectively. The
contents of these nutrients (Ca, Mg) varied significantly in these soils. The DTPA
extractable zinc, copper, manganese and iron ranged from 0.16 to 0.95, 0.70 to 3.70, 7.0
to 82.0 and 11.0 to 92.0 ppm, respectively in these soils. These soils in general were
medium to high in available micronutrients. The available boron and molybdenum ranged
from 0.50 to 2.66 and 0.15 to 2.27 ppm, respectively in these soils. The content of boron
showed significant differences in these soils.
pH showed negatively significant correlation with nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc and
manganese and positively significant correlation with calcium and magnesium, whereas
organic carbon exhibited positively significant correlation with nitrogen, zinc,
manganese, iron and boron. A negatively significant correlation was found between
calcium carbonate and available phosphorus and copper, whereas calcium and
magnesium showed significantly positive relationship with cation exchange capacity. The
leaf nutrient contents viz; nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, copper, iron and Boron showed
significant differences in these zones. The leaf nutrients showed positively significant
correlation with surface and subsurface soils in respect of nitrogen, sulphur and iron and
with subsurface soils in respect of phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, iron,
Boron and molybdenum did not show significant differences in these zones. A
significantly positive correlation existed between yield and leaf and soil nutrient contents
in respect of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and nitrogen, zinc, iron and boron
respectively.