Soil-site suitability evaluation for coconut and oil palm in the soils of north-west Gir Madhuvanti toposequence of south Saurashtra region of Gujarat

Abstract

Six representative pedons were evaluated for their soil site suitability for coconut and oil palm in the soils of different land slopes of north-west Gir Madhuvanti toposequence of south Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The soils of lower piedmont belong to Vertic Haplusterts (P3), plain area belong to Typic Haplusterts (P4) and depression area belong to Sodic Haplusterts (P5) were marginally suitable (S3) for coconut and oil palm. The soils of hill slopes belong to Lithic Ustorthents (P1) and upper piedmont belong to Lithic Ustorthents (P2) were currently not suitable (N1) for coconut and oil palm. The soils of upper coast belong to Fluventic Calciustepts (P6) were marginally suitable (S3) for coconut and currently not suitable (N1) for oil palm. Topography, drainage, shallow soil depth, low rainfal, texture, poor soil fertility (soil pH) soil salinity and alkalinity are the major limitations for cultivation of coconut and oil palm in soils of north-west Gir Madhuvanti toposequence of south Saurashtra.