Characteristics and Classification of Some Orange Growing Soils in Nagpur District of Maharashtra

Four typical shrink-swell orange supporting soils of Nagpur district were characterised and classified. The Selu and Nimji soils were well drained, very shallow and shallow in depth underlain by weathered basalt while Gondkhairi (P3) and Gondkhairi (P4), were both deep, but moderately well-drained and imperfectly drained, respectively. The soils are slightly to moderately alkaline and calcareous with CaCO₃ increasing with depth. The Selu and Gondkhairi (P3) soils are grouped under Typic Ustorthents whereas Ninji and Gondkhairi (P4) soils are classified as Typic Haplustept and Typic Haplustert, respectively. The high clay content, CaCO₃ and poor drainage of deep shrink-swell soils limit the productivity of orange. The shallow soils have limitation of solum but do not pose problem of root development and hence under proper agro-management, the productivity of these soils can be enhanced.