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Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science
Year : 2010, Volume : 58, Issue : 3
First page : ( 257) Last page : ( 266)
Print ISSN : 0019-638X. Online ISSN : 0974-0228.

Some Typical Sugarcane-growing Soils of Ahmadnagar District of Maharashtra: Their Characterization and Classification and Nutritional Status of Soils and Plants

Ashokkumar H.P., Prasad Jagdish*

National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Amravati Road, Nagpur, 440 010, Maharashtra.

*Corresponding author (Email: jagdishprasad57@yahoo.com)

Received:  November,  2008; Accepted:  July,  2010.

Abstract

Based on variation in physiography, soils and cane yield, six pedons namely, Vadala Mahadev (P1), Umbare (P2), Kendhal (P3), Nandgaon (P4), Khedle (P5) and Sonai (P6) in Ahmadnagar district of Maharashtra were characterized for their physical and chemical properties, and nutritional status of soil and leaves. These pedons are shallow (P1), very shallow (P2), moderately deep (P6) and others are very deep and have their Munsell colour notation in 10YR/7.5YR hue with value 3 to 4 and chroma 1 to 4. The dominant structure is moderate, medium and sub-angular blocky type, but angular blocky structure is a common feature in slickenside zone of Vertisols. Sand, silt and clay content ranged from 24.2 to 62.5, 5.6 to 45.2 and 5.0 to 70.2% in different horizons and bulk density from 1.54 to 1.95 Mg m−3. Relatively high smectite content resulted in higher moisture content at −33 and -1500 kPa suctions. These soils are moderately to strongly alkaline in reaction and their CEC varied from 21.6 to 61.7 cmol(p+)kg−1. Majority of surface and sub-surface layers had relatively higher organic carbon content than underlying ones. Calcium and magnesium were found to be dominant cations on the exchange complex. The available N, P, and K ranged from 47.0 to 228.9, 0.6 to 28.6 and 80.3 to 760.3 kg ha−1, respectively. The DTPA extractable-Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn ranged form 7.2 to 17.9, 7.9 to 25.0, 1.2 to 4.0 and 0.2 to 0.9 mg kg−1 respectively, in different pedons. These soils are medium in N, low in P, medium to high in K and deficient in Mn, Cu, and Zn. On comparing the leaf nutrient status proposed by different researchers, the sugarcane leaves showed P, Ca, Mg Cu, Zn above the critical level but N, K and Mn (P4) were deficient. These pedons were classified as clayey Vertic Haplustept (P1); fine Vertic Haplustept (P4, P6); loamy-skeletal Lithic Ustorthent (P2); and fine Sodic Haplustert (P3 and P5). As per Sys et al. (1993) except P1 (marginally suitable) other pedons are not suitable whereas, as per the criteria proposed by Naidu and Hunsigi (2001), P1 and P5 marginally suitable, P2 and P3 are not suitable and P4 and P6 are highly suitable for sugarcane crop.

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Keywords

Sugarcane, soil variability, taxonomy, nutrients deficiency, suitability.

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