Abstract

This article examines the macronutrient status and quality of 11-14 years old of five Nagpur mandarin orchards of Saoner tahsils, Nagpur district as influenced by soil calcium carbonate. Calcareous soils (pH 7.41 to 8.38) with high free CaCO₃ content (3.13 to 15.48%) indicating that these soils are moderate to high calcareous in nature and it adversely affects the availability of macronutrients and yield of Nagpur mandarin. In context of nutrient status for these mandarin soils contain, available nitrogen is low (38 to 251 kg ha^-1), available phosphorus is low to medium (10 to 22 kg ha^-1) and available potassium is low to high (48 to 385 kg ha^-1). Leaves that are 4 to 6 months old from non-fruiting terminals contain optimum leaf macronutrient concentration (%) as 1.80–2.50 nitrogen (N), 0.11–0.15 phosphorus (P) and 0.62–0.97 potassium (K) in relation to fruit yield of 13.6–19.6 tonnes ha^-1. The findings show a low amount of macronutrients in leaves and reduced yield. In addition the poor quality oranges observed was influenced by increased content of CaCO₃.

Key words: CaCO_3, nutrient status, mandarin yield, quality

Abbreviation

CaCO₃, Calcium Carbonate; N, Nitrogen; P, Phosphorous; K, Potassium.