Characterization, classification and soil site suitability of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) growing soil of Latur district Maharashtra

Abstract

The soil of the study area under pomegranate were very shallow to very deep, reddish brown (5 YR 4/4) to dark grayish brown in colour (10 YR 4/2), clay to sandy loam in texture and granular to angular blocky in structure. The bulk density of the studied soils varied from 1.55 to 1.88 Mgm-3. Plant available water capacity (PAWC) varied from 68.34 to 380.52 mm. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil varied from 3.27 to 23.71 cm hr-1. Soil reaction under study area was slightly to strongly alkaline (pH ranged from 7.58 to 8.92) in nature, electrical conductivity of the soil is < 1.0 dSm-1, organic carbon content very low to high (0.37 to 0.84 percent) and calcareous in nature (4.2 to 15.26%). The maximum CEC was recorded in Typic Haplusterts was 53.26 to 69.78 cmol (P+) kg-1 as compared to Typic Haplusteps and Typic Ustorthent. Taxonomically, these soils of study area classified into Typic Haplusterts, Typic Haplusteps and Calcic Haplusteps. The yield of the pomegranates ranged between 10.86 to 27.10 t ha-1 in the study area. The highest yield was recorded in soils of Typic Haplusteps (Inceptisols) with soil depth less than 30 cm (P5). The fruit quality was increased with increasing amount of CaCO3 in these soils. Soil site suitability according to FAO 1983, the suitability of pomegranate on the basis of optimum yield level the soils of Typic Haplustepts were highly suitable whereas Calcic Haplustepts and Typic Ustorthents were moderately suitable and Typic Haplusterts were marginally suitable for pomegranate. This indicated that the Typic Haplustepts (Inceptisol) and Typic Ustorthents (Entisols) soils underlined by loose weathered basalt below 30 cm soil depth were found to be highly suitable (S1) for pomegranate cultivation followed by Calcic Haplustepts and Typic Haplusterts (Vertisols).