Evaluation of soil fertility and leaf nutrient content of sweet orange in Katol tehsil, Nagpur district

Abstract

An investigation entitled "Evaluation of Soil Fertility and Leaf Nutrient Content of Sweet Orange in Katol Tehsil, Nagpur District" was conducted during 2024-25 to evaluate the soil and leaf nutrient status in black soil. 27 soil and plant samples (0-30 cm) from 6 to 8 years old orchards were analyzed. Soil samples were tested for fertility status while leaf samples were assessed for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper and boron content. Fruit yield and quality parameters were recorded in November 2024. Soil properties varied with pH ranging from 7.05 to 8.02, EC ranging from 0.154 to 0.296 dS m-1, OC ranging from 4.34 to 5.81 g kg-1, and CaCO3 ranging from 2.4 to 4.5%. Macronutrient availability in soil ranged as follows: N (251.14-352.09 kg ha-1), P (18.6-29.9 kg ha-1), K (400.4-435.9 kg ha-1), S (9.5-16.6 mg kg-1), Ca (20.84-39.34 cmol (p+) kg-1) and Mg (7.31-15.04 cmol (p+) kg-1). Micronutrient levels were Fe (3.14-5.77 mg kg-1), Mn (5.20-9.45 mg kg-1), Zn (0.22-0.97 mg kg-1), Cu (0.32-1.52 mg kg-1) and B (0.25-0.92 mg kg-1). Leaf nutrient content varied with macronutrients N (1.49-2.78%), P (0.12-0.36%), K (1.41-1.87%), S (0.19-0.30%), Ca (1.47-2.01%) and Mg (0.37-0.61%) and micronutrients Fe (76.9-131.3 mg kg-1), Mn (36.8-81.3 mg kg-1), Zn (15.1-25.1 mg kg-1), Cu (6.9-9.9 mg kg-1) and B (21.3-39.6 mg kg-1). The yield of sweet orange orchards ranged from 7.4 to 22.6 t ha-1 with fruit acidity and TSS ranging from 0.33 to 0.46% and 8.4 to 9.6% respectively.