NUTRITIONAL SURVEY OF CHERRY ORCHARDS IN SHIMLA DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2023-10-25
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UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, well known for quality cherry production in India was
selected for the study. Soil and leaf samples from 30 representative cherry orchards were collected
across three administrative blocks, namely Theog, Narkanda and Jubbal-Kotkhai (10 villages from
each block) of the district. Soil samples were analysed for their physico-chemical properties and
available nutrients status. Soil texture varied from sandy loam to sandy clay loam and soil pH was
slightly acidic to nearly neutral. EC values were in safe limits (< 0.8 dS m-1). The organic carbon
content was high. Among DTPA extractable micronutrients, soils were mostly deficient in Zn and
sufficient in Fe, Mn and Cu. Considering nutrient index value <1.67, 1.67 to 2.33 and > 2.33 for low,
medium and high nutrient status of soils, respectively, the soils of the study area were found to be in
the category of low for N; medium for Zn; and high with P, K, S, Mn, Cu and Fe. All the nutrients
showed decreasing trend with increasing soil depth. Leaves registered sufficient N and K content,
whereas, P was high in majority of leaf samples. Leaf S, Fe, Mn and Cu were under sufficient ranges,
whereas, Ca and Mg were excess/high. Zn deficiency was reported in majority of leaf samples.
Surface soil pH was significantly and positively correlated with available Ca and Mg and had a
significantly negative correlation with available Fe. Soil organic carbon was positively correlated with
almost all the nutrient elements of soil and leaf. Significantly positive relationship was found between
soil and leaf nutrients. A critical appraisal of correlation co-efficient among soil and leaf nutrients
revealed that plants absorb nutrients from both surface as well as sub-surface soils. The variations in
soil properties and nutrient status in cherry orchards indicate need for adopting integrated and soil test
based nutrient management in sustainable manner.