Characterization and clasification of some orange growing orchards in Nagpur district

Seven orange growing soils of Kalmeshwar and Katol tahsils of Nagpur district were characterized and classified to find out their suitability for cultivation of Nagpur mandarin. Morphologically the soils were moderately shallow to very deep, pale brown to very dark grey in colour, subangular to angular blocky structure, clay loam, silty clay to clay in texture. The clay content ranged from 14.4 to 65.2 percent. The silt content showed irregular trend within the profile. The bulk density varied from 1.38 to 1.59 on soil surface, while lower values in subsurface layers were due to high clay content. The available water holding capacity (8.3 to 20.1%) was very high and showed significant relation with clay content. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of soils ranged from 0.34 to 6.85 cm h(1 and the water dispersible clay (3.2 to 16.8%) increased with the depth. The soils of Khairi and Kukadipanjara were classified as Vertisol. The soils of Susundri, Budhala and Chakdoh were Inceptisols whereas Dorli and Sonkhamb soils were classified as Entisol. The soils were alkaline (pH 7 to 8.5) in reaction and non-saline. Calcium was dominant cation followed by Mg, Na and Kwith high CEC. The soils were calcareous with high free CaCO₃ (1.8 to 20.2%) and carbonate clay (1.1 to 8.6%). All the soils of Nag pur mandarin orchards were potentially good for its growth and yield, but high amount of CaCO₃ and carbonate clay were found to be responsible for reduction in yield and poor quality of mandarin