Nutritional status of orchard soils in selected apple growing areas of Shimla District of Himachal Pradesh

Investigations were carried out to assess the nutritional status of orchard soils in selected pockets of apple growing belts of district Shimla, Himachal Pradesh encompassing 5 Tehsils. Total 164 soil samples were collected and analysed for soil macronutrient parameters. Correlation study was carried out to assess the degree of correlation among various soil chemical properties and soil fertility index was worked out to assess fertility level of orchard soils. The soil pH ranged from strongly acidic (4.74) to neutral (7.22); soil salinity was found to be in safer limits (<0.974 dS/m); organic carbon varied from very low (0.15%) to very high (2.80%). Soil available N content varied from low (150 kg/ha) to high (815 kg/ha), P content varied from very low (4.7 kg/ha) to very high (1,086.4 kg/ha) and K content ranged from very low (32 kg/ha) to very high (5,174 kg/ha). In total, 33.5, 3.0 and 4.9 per cent samples were reported deficient in available N, P and K status respectively. The soil nutrient index for N, P and K came out to be 1.68, 2.82 and 2.63 respectively which suggested medium nitrogen and high phosphorus and potassium availability. The correlation study showed soil pH to have significant effect on P and K availability; EC had positive correlation with SOC and available nutrient contents while organic carbon content was significantly correlated to available NPK content.