Characterization and Classification of Major Mango-growing Soils in Arid Part of Ananthapuramu District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Four typical pedons representing major mango growing soils, developed from granite gneiss parent material were studied for their morphological, physical and chemical properties. The soils were moderately shallow (50-75 cm) to very deep (>150 cm) in depth, loamy sand to sandy clay loam in texture, sub-angular blocky in structure, reddish brown to dark red in colour, slightly acidic to moderately alkaline in reaction, non-saline, very low to high in organic carbon content (0.09 to 1.29%), low AWC (3.36 to 7.80%), low to medium in cation exchange capacity (2.90 to 19.36 cmol (p+) kg-1) and high base saturation (78 to 98%). The soils also had high amounts of coarse fragments in P1 and P2 and high clay content in P4 and P2. Among the exchangeable cations, calcium was found to be high in most of the soils, followed by magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Based on the soil characteristics, the mango growing soils were classified as Typic Haplargids and Typic Paleargids in subgroup level. Varying soil and site characters i.e., poor rainfall, shallow soil depths, excess gravel contents, low AWC, poor nutrient status and severe soil erosion are limiting the growth and development of mango plantation. Developing site-specific soils based suitable management practices can improve the productivity of mango crops.