Assessment of fertility status of soils of acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) orchardsof Vijayapur district, Karnataka

Abstract

A survey was conducted during 2018-19 covering acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) orchards of Indi andSindagi talukas in Vijayapur district, Karnataka state. Asurface (0-22.5 cm) soil samples (n=85) were collected and analysedfor soil properties and extractable nutrients. Soil pH (1:2.5 suspensions of soil water) varies from 7.20 to 8.52 with anaverage value of 8.01. The electrical conductivity ranged from 0.13 to 1.87 dSm-1 with mean value of 0.36 dS m-1. The organiccarbon content ranged from 0.50 to 1.13% with an average value of 0.81%. The mean values of Alkaline KMnO4 N, Olsen’sP and Neutral 1N ammonium acetate (NH4OAc) K were 315.60, 14.89 and 246.46 kg ha-1, respectively. The mean valuesof neutral 1N ammonium acetate (NH4OAc) of Ca and Mg, and CaCl2 (0.15 %) extractable S content of soil were 21.77 and9.40 cmol (P+) kg-1 and40.42 mg kg-1, respectively. The mean values of extractable DTPA Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were 7.35,23.66, 1.33 and 5.39 mg kg-1, respectively. The water-soluble B in soils ranged from 0.18 to 1.66 mg kg-1 with a mean valueof 0.70 mg kg-1 soil. As per the calculated nutrient index values, soils of lime orchards of Indi were low in N, medium in P, Kand Fe and high in S, Mn, Zn, Cu and B. The soils of Sindagi were low in N and P, medium in K and Fe and high in S, Mn, Cu,Zn and B. The relationship between soil properties, extractable soil nutrients and fruit yield/plant/year was also studied