Soil-site suitability evaluation for coconut and oil palm in the soils of Ozat River valley of southern Saurashtra region of Gujarat

Abstract

Eight representative pedons were evaluated for their soil site suitability for coconut and oil palm in the soils of different pedons of ozat river valley of southern saurashtra region of gujarat. The soils of lower piedmont belong to Lithic Ustorthents (P1) and Lithic Ustorthents (P7) were currently not suitable (N1) for coconut and oil palm. The soils of upper plain area belongs to Vertic Haplusterts (P2), Lithic Ustorthents (P4), Typic Haplusterts (P6), Typic Haplustepts (P8) and soils of lower piedmont belongs to Vertic Haplustepts (P3), Vertic Haplustepts (P5) were marginally suitables (S3) for coconut and oil palm. Topography, drainage, shallow soil depth, low rainfall, texture, poor soil fertility (soil pH) soil salinity and alkalinity are the major limitations for cultivation of coconut and oil palm in soils of ozat River Valley of Southern Saurashtra Region of Gujarat.