Analysis of soil physico-chemical properties of guava orchard in multi zones of district Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

This study was an effort to assess the soil physico-chemical properties of guava orchards in four Taluka of district Larkanaduring 2014-15. Composite soil samples were collected from three (4x4 each) blocks (16 tress) of each orchard at three soil depths (0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm).The soil samples were analyzed for some physical and chemical properties of the soil. Analytical results of this study described that soils of taluka Bakrani and Dokri orchards were classified as silty clay and Larkana and Ratodero orchards had silty clay loam texture. Electrical conductivity ofsoil samples of guava orchards in four taluka of district Larkana, showed that 100% of the soils of study area has an average value of (<1 dsm^-1). For pH, however, all soil samples were found medium alkaline (pH7.6-8.3). In Pakistan, guava is grown on an area of 64.0 hectares with a total production of 546.6 tons. Sindh contributes 9.8 hectares of area under guava with a total production of 75.4 tons (GOP, 2012). In case of organic matter, results of this study revealed that all soil samples were found poor (<0.86) in OM content except surface soil (0-15cm) of Bakrani guava orchards.  All the guava orchard soils were put in the categorization of very marginal calcareous (5-10 %). Results regarding soluble Na⁺showed that average soluble Na⁺ contents ranged between 0.30-0.45 meq L^-1 across the four taluka’s of Larkana. Overall results showed that 100% soil samples were found marginal in soluble Na⁺. Soluble Ca²⁺ ranged between 5.37 to 8.74 meq L^-1. Ratodero guava orchard soils have more Ca²⁺ content than other taluka’s followed by Larkana. Further study revealed that 100% of the samples were found marginal in Ca²⁺ content.  Similarly, 100 % of the soil samples were marginal in Mg content. In this study K ranged between 302-403 with an average K of 351 meq L^-1 across four taluka.

Keywords: Physico-chemical properties; Organic matter; Calcium carbonate; Potassium in soil

http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2017.60088