Characterization and Classification of Pomegranate Growing Soils of Osmanabad District Maharashtra

Abstract

Based on variation in physiography, soils and productivity of pomegranate, nis were characterized in Osmanabad of Maharashtra their physical, chemical properties, nutritional e status of soils and leaves these pedons were shallow (P_2, P₃, P_{6 ,}  P₇ and P₉), moderately deep(P_4, P₈) and other were deep to very deep (P₁, P₅) and their munsell colour notation in  soil colour of Lithic Ustorthents varies from dark brown (10 YR 4/3) to dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) in colour. Typic Ustochrepts soils are very dark gray (10YR 3/1)  to dark brown (10YR 3/3), were as Typic Haplusterts soils are black (10 YR 2.5 /1) to very dark grayish brown (10 YR 3/2) in colour. soil structure varies from granular to angular blocky strcture. The sub surface horizon shows a angular blocky structure due swell shrink phenomenon of smectitic clay minerals. The soils texture indicated that the pedons (P_2, P₃  P₆  P₇ and P₉) are lome, clay loam to sandy loam in texture, (P₄, P₈) clay to silty clay in texture (P₁, P₅) clay texture. Bulk density ranged from 1.34 to 1.79 Mgm^-3 increased with depth The CEC of soils varied from (49.42 to 71.11 cmol (P+) kg-¹) majority of surface and sub surface layer had relatively higher organic carbon content than the underlying ones. The available N,P and K content ranged from 88.8 to 389.89 kg ha -1, 13.9 to 24.24 kg ha -1, 207.20 to 557.13 kg ha -1.respectivly in different pedons. The DTPA –Zn was found to be different in all the soils.