Soil fertility status of some mango orchards in Chittagong Hill Tracts

Abstract

Major physico-chemical properties of mango orchard soils (Mangifera indica L.) in different sites of three hill districts, Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban were evaluated. Soils were sandy loam in texture at all the sites except foot hill soil of Shapchari. Soil pH, organic matter, total N and available P varied from 4.76 to 5.58, 1.43 to 2.49 %, 0.10 to 0.16 %, 0.86 mg kg^-1 to 2.69 mg kg^-1 soil, respectively in surface soil of different sites of mango orchard. 1N NH₄OAc extractable K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ranged from 0.35 to 0.82, 2.50 to 3.66 and 0.60 to 1.57 cmol kg^-1 of soils. Soil pH, organic matter, total N and available P varied significantly among the slope positions within the sites. Similar results were found in case of 1N NH₄OAc extractable K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. The soils are generally poor in organic matter and nutrients.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cujbs.v6i1-2.17244

The Chittagong Univ. J. B. Sci.,Vol. 6(1&2):187-197, 2011