Abstract
To evaluate the variation in ‘Palmer’ mango yield related to soil formation and soil physical and chemical properties, we studied a transect with 11 soil profiles, selected according to the altitude in a commercial orchard. Surface and subsurface diagnostic horizons were described up to two meters in depth. Soil depth, texture, structure, consistency, clay coating, cementation, and color of each horizon were morphologically determined. Undisturbed and disturbed samples were used to determine the soil total porosity, macroporosity, microporosity, density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, granulometry, total organic carbon, pH, sum of bases, and the contents of P, S, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn. The number of fruits (for production estimates), stem diameter, canopy area, and plant height were determined in four plants around each soil profile. Three classes of soil showed good suitability for mango cultivation: Argisol Red-Yellow Eutrophic typic, Cambisol Haplic Eutrophic Tb, and Latosol Red Yellow Eutrophic typic. The ‘Palmer’ mango yield was correlated with the K contents, sum of bases, and pH. The low yield was a result of the low K content associated with the presence of gravel.
Highlights
The mango tree (Mangifera indica L.) belongs to the family Anacardiaceae and is native to Asia, where 76% of world production is concentrated
Brazil is among the largest producers and exporters of the fruit, and occupied, in 2016, the sixth and seventh position in the world rankings of mango production and exportation, respectively (Carvalho et al, 2017)
The experiment consisted of a completely randomized design (CRD) with 11 soil profiles distributed across 23 ha crop from January to December 2014
Summary
The mango tree (Mangifera indica L.) belongs to the family Anacardiaceae and is native to Asia, where 76% of world production is concentrated. ‘Palmer’stands out as the predominant species, corresponding to 95% of the production in this region.The maintenance of its agricultural yield under irrigated systems is closely related to the chemical, physical, and biological attributes of the soil. These attributes are altered due to the continuous use of irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides, and machine traffic, which modify soil quality and, as a consequence, its productive potential (Corrêa et al, 2010). In irrigated semiarid areas, such as the north of Minas Gerais, the mango tree has the potential to produce high-quality fruits at any time of the year by the use of the floral induction technology (Oliveira, 2015). High productions are directly associated with the physical and chemical quality of the soil and crop management practices, such as proper fertilization and irrigation
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have