Scientific characterization of mango orchards through soil indicators

The objective of the present study was to quantify the orchard fertility as economic security of fruit growers of Lucknow significantly linked to orchard health status. Characterization of mango orchards based on soil indicators in the vicinity of Malihabad, Lucknow was thus appraised following ICAR project on evaluation of soil, tree and climatic indicators in Mango orchards. Recent data on soil macro and micro indicators was generated. Information of all these datasets was used for soil nutrient indexing in mango orchards. Latest information for characterization showed low to medium health status of growers’ mango orchards. The nutrient indexing values of zinc, soil organic carbon, phosphorus and potassium was recorded as 1.00 to 1.30, 1.65 to 2.44, 1.00 to 1.48 and 1.42 to 1.95, respectively. The present study also inferred that the percentages of soil samples recognized under low, medium and high categories across mango orchard villages had differential fertility. Productivity of <20 t ha⁻¹ was noted across subtropical mango orchards. The systematic and scientific analysis suggested urgent need for improving orchard management practices vis-a-vis improved production. The study revealed low soil available phosphorus, potassium, zinc and copper while manganese, iron and soil organic carbon content was rated as medium. Farmers should follow advanced integrated nutrient management practices in subtropics to improve orchard soil health condition.