Nutrient status of chinese sand pear (Nakh) cultivar in district Budgam

The present study was undertaken to assess the nutrient status of sand pear orchards in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir to support region-specific nutrient management strategies. Sand pear (Pyrus pyrifolia), locally known as Nakh Kashmiri, is an important temperate fruit crop valued for its high yield potential, crisp texture, extended shelf life, and market preference. Its resilience to climatic stress makes it a commercially viable crop in the Kashmir region. Twelve uniformly aged and vigorous orchards were surveyed using a simple random sampling method. Soil samples were collected from two depths-surface (0-25 cm) and subsurface (25-75 cm)-and analyzed alongside the corresponding leaf samples for macro-and micronutrient content. Surface soils were found to be medium in available nitrogen (321.50 kg/ha), medium to high in phosphorus (17.38 kg/ha), and medium in potassium (229.42 kg/ha), while subsurface layers showed lower levels. Both soil layers exhibited high calcium and magnesium concentrations. Iron and manganese were abundant, whereas zinc and copper ranged from medium to high. Leaf analysis revealed medium to high nitrogen (1.98-2.64%), low to medium phosphorus (0.12-0.19%), and medium to high potassium (1.20-1.96%). Zinc and copper were found to be deficient to moderate, while iron and manganese were adequate. Correlation analysis indicated that soil pH and organic carbon significantly influenced nutrient availability, especially for micronutrient cations. Enhancing organic matter and adopting proper soil management practices can improve the micronutrient status of sand pear orchards.