Soil suitability is the fitness of given type of land for defined use. soil suitability analysis is a method of land evaluation, which measures the degree of appropriateness of land for a certain use.

2. Master´s Seminar (SOILS 591)
Significance of Soil Site Suitability in Fruit
crops .
Vasantrao Naik Marathawada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani
College of agriculture, Latur.
RESERCH GUIDE
DR. P. H. VAIDYA
ASSOCIATE PROFESSER.
DEPARTMENT OF SSAC,
COA, LATUR.
PREPARED BY
RAKESHA M.C
2015A/48ML
DEPT. OF SSAC
COA, LATUR

3. What do you mean by soil
suitability ?
Soil suitability is the fitness of given
type of land for defined use.
soil suitability analysis is a method of
land evaluation, which measures the
degree of appropriateness of land for a
certain use.

4. Significance of Soil Site Suitability
• To classify and determine the soil profile type with in the
study area .
• Assess the soil suitability classes within the study area.
• Assess the good quality agriculture soil classes with in the
study area .
• Provide preliminary assessment of strategic cropping land
• Assess suitability of top soil for rehabilitation including
identification of unfavourable materials .
• Provide soil management recommendation for top soil.
• The execution and interpretation of basic surveys of climate,
soils, vegetation and others aspects of soil in terms of
requirements of alternative forms of soil use.
• Identifying the most suitable location for specific agriculture
use .

5. Objective
• To understand soil quality under fruit
growing soils.
• To know the soil site suitability for fruit
orchards .

6. Methods of Soil Site Suitability
• Actual limitation method (Sys et al .1971)
• Optimum yield basis ( FAO 1983)
• Storie index (1976)
• Productivity index (Requier et al. 1970)
• Soil irrigability classification (USBR 1953)
• USDA land capability classification(1961)

7. S1 (Highly suitable) Land unit with nil. or up to 5 slight limitation.
S2 (Moderately suitable)
Land units with more than 5 slight limitation
and / or no more than two severe limitation
S3 (Marginally suitable)
Land unit with more than 4 moderate
limitation or/ and no more than two sever
limitations.
N1 (Currently not suitable)
Land unit with more than 2 severe
limitation that can be corrected.
N2 (Unsuitable)
Land units having very severe limitation that
cannot be corrected.
Suitability classes based on limitation
titative land evaluationSuitability class Degree of limitation

8. Suitability classes based on optimum
yield basis (FAO, 1983)
This was based on optimum yield level of
suitability classes as fallows.
• S1 > 80% of optimum yield
• S2 40 to 80% of optimum yield
• S3 20 to 40% of optimum yield
• N <20% of optimum yield

9. Storie method ( Storie 1976)
This method is based on soil characteristics that
govern the land potential utilization and productive
capacity .
SI = A*B*C*X*Y
SI : Storie index
A - General characteristics of soil profile
B - Texture of surface soil
C - Slope
X - Miscellaneous factor
Y - Average annual rainfall

10. Storie index values of suitability class as fallows
• Very poor (10-19)
• Poor (20-39)
• Fair (40-59)
• Good (60-79)
• Excellent (80-100)

11. Soil site suitabality of fruit crop

13. Horizo
-nes
Depth
(cm)
Boun
dary
Matrix
Colour
Textu
re
Structu
re
Consisten
cy
Pores Roots Effer
vesce
nce
Pedon 2 Waruda , Osmanabad ( Lithic Ustorthent )
Ap 0-9 Cs 10 YR 4/3 C m2sbk s, fr, ns,np vfm Vfm es
AC 0-19 Gi 10 YR 4/3 Cl m3sbk fr ,ns,np vfm Vfm es
Ck 19-25 ----murrum ( Saprolite)----
Pedon 8 Shiradhone Kalam ( Typic Ustochrept)
Ap 0-18 Cs 10 YR 3/2 Cl m1 sbk s, fr,ss, sp vfm Vfm es
Bw1 18-26 Cs 10 YR 3/3 Sc m1sbk fr,ss, sp vfm Fm es
C 26-36 weather basalt
Pedon 1 Wagholi ( Typic Haplusterts)
Ap 0-30 Cs 10 YR3/2 C m 2 sbk vh,vfi,vsvp vfm vfm, fm e
Bw 30-64 Cs 10YR2.5/1 C m 3sbk vh,vfi,vsvp vfm vfm, fm,cc es
Bss 64-93 Gw 10 YR 2.5/1 C m 3abk vh,vfi,vsvp vfm vfm,fm,cc ev
C 93-130 weather basalt
Table 1. Morphological characteristic of representative pedons pomegranate orchards in Osmanabad
District
Pawar et al.(2015)

14. Horizo
nes
Depth
( cm)
Coarse
fragmen
t %
BD
(mg/cm
3)
HC
cm/hr
Partial size analysis
( %)
Moisture
retention % AWC
%
PAWC
mm
Sand Silt Clay 33kPa 1500
kPa
Pedon 2 Waruda , Osmanabad ( Lithic Ustorthent )
Ap 0-9 25 1.29 4.21 30.95 26.55 42.5 39.4 25.6 13.8
Ac 0-19 26.31 1.49 5.12 33.1 49.4 17.5 35.2 23.1 12.1 193.8
M 19-25 62.16 1.67 4.89 37.8 47.2 15 33.4 23.9 9.5
Pedon 8 Shiradhone Kalam ( Typic Ustochrept)
Ap 0-18 7.73 1.68 2.26 3.15 46.85 50 41.1 27.2 13.9
Bw1 18-26 9.49 1.65 4.5 24.55 39.93 37.5 35.4 25.2 10.2 52.51
M 26-36 15.84 1.72 -- 43.35 44.15 12.5 32.1 23.9 8.2
Pedon 1 Wagholi ( Typic Haplusterts)
Ap 0-30 6.19 1.38 4.41 2.55 42.45 55 44.4 25.2 19.2
Bw1 30-64 10.7 1.66 7.73 1.7 35.08 62.5 48.6 24.1 24.5 323
Bss1 64-93 10.37 1.64 5.29 0.8 34.2 65.5 49.3 25.8 23.5
C 93-130 45.38 1.39 -- 28.55 41.45 30 47.3 25.2 22.1
Table 2. Physical characteristic of representative pedons under pomegranate orchards in
Osmanabad district
Pawar et al.(2015)

15. Horiz
ones
Depth
( cm)
pH EC
dSm-1
OC
%
CaC
O3 %
CEC
(cmol
(p+)
kg-1 )
Cations
(cmol(p+) kg-1 )
Base
Saturat
ion %
Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+ Sum of
Cations
Pedon 2 Waruda (Lithic Ustorthents)
Ap 0-9 7.52 0.74 0.31 5.4 42.93 23 16 2.21 0.9 42.11 98
Ac 9-19 7.63 0.57 0.27 5.6 25.11 13 9 2.21 0.6 24.81 98
M 19-25 7.64 0.53 0.25 4.6 22.43 11 7 2.15 0.57 20.72 92
Pedon 8 Shiradhon Kalam (Typic Ustrochrepts )
Ap 0-18 7.76 0.41 0.25 17.0 49.37 31 15.5 1.29 0.87 48.66 98
Bw1 18-26 7.76 0.34 0.23 21.1 42.36 26 13.0 1.07 0.48 40.55 95
M 26+36 7.86 0.36 0.24 20.2 21.14 15 7.0 1.50 0.17 23.67 89
Pedon-1 Wagholi (Typic Haplusterts)
Ap 0-30 7.66 0.35 0.72 9.2 61.90 35 23 1.09 0.81 59.90 96
Bw1 30-64 7.73 0.32 0.45 9.6 65.72 41 23 1.10 0.62 67.72 97
Bss1 64-93 7.76 0.32 0.24 13.0 62.11 38 23 1.20 0.8 61.00 98
Ck 93-130 7.8 0.35 0.12 15.2 49.42 22 15 1.09 0.25 38.34 97
Table 3.Chemical characteristic of the representative pedons under Pomegranate Orchards
in Osmanabad District.
Pawar et al.(2015)

16. Table 4. Soils site suitability criteria (crop requirement)for pomegranate.
Soil- site characteristic Rating
Unit Highly
suitable S1
Moderately
suitable S2
Marginally
suitable S3
Not suitable N
Climatic regime Mean temp in
growing seasons
oC 30-34 35-38
25-29
39-40
15-24
--
Soil quality Soil requirements
Moisture availability Length of
growing period
Days >150 120-150 90-120
<90
Oxygen availability
to roots
Soil drainage
Class Well drained
Mod. To
Imperfectly Poorly V. poorly
Nutrient availability Texture Class Sl,scl,l,cl C,sic,sicl Cl,s,ls -
pH 1:2.5 5.5-7.5 7.6-8.5 8.6-9.0 -
Rooting conditions Soil depth Cm >100 75-100 50-75 <50
Coarse
fragments
Vol%
Nil 15-35 >35 -
Soil toxicity Salinity dS/m Nil <9 >9 <50
Erosion hazard Slope % <3 3-5 5-10
Naidu et al. (2006)

17. 17
SIR:classes Very poor- (10-19), Poor- (20-39), Fair-(40-59), Good (60-69), excellent(80-100)
FAO: Optimum yield of pomegranate in study area - 25.4 t/ha.
Suitability classes: S2- Highly suitable, S2- Moderatly suitable, S2- Marginally suitable, N1- currently not
suitable, N2 - unsuitable
Table 6. Storie index rating and soil site suitability classification as per Storie (1976) and FAO (1983)
Storie (1976) FAO(1983)
Pedon Factor
A
Depth
Factor
B
Textur
e
Factor
C
Slope
Factor
X
Drainag
e
Alkali Nutrien
ts level
Ero
sion
Storie
Index
Suitability
Class
Storie
(1976)
Yield
(t/ha)
% of
optim
um
yield
Suitability
Class
FAO(1983)
Pedon-1 60 75 100 95 100 90 100 38.4 Poor 12.0 47.0 S2
Pedon-2 30 95 95 100 100 90 90 21.0 Poor 18.0 70.0 S2
Pedon3 30 100 95 100 100 90 90 25.0 Poor 15.1 69.0 S2
Pedon-4 60 75 100 100 100 90 100 36.4 Poor 18.0 70.0 S2
Pedon-5 100 80 100 95 100 90 100 68.7 Good 13.1 51.0 S2
Pedon-6 30 95 95 100 100 90 90 21.9 poor 15.5 61.0 S2
Pedon-7 30 95 95 100 100 90 90 21.9 Poor 18.1 70.0 S2
Pedon-8 35 95 95 100 100 90 90 25.5 Poor 25.0 97.0 S1
Pedon-9 30 95 95 95 100 90 90 20.8 Poor 17.0 67.0 S2
Pawar et al.(2015)

18. Table 7. Soil site suitability for pomegranate of
representative pedon of Osmanabad
Pedon Suitability class Limitation
ENTISOLS
(Lithic
Ustorthent )
Moderately suitable Soil depth
INCEPTISOLS
(Typic
Ustochrept)
Highly suitable Soil depth <30 cm
VERTISOLS
( Typic
Haplusterts)
Moderately suitable Soil depth >30 cm
Pawar et al. (2015)

20. Horizo
-nes
Depth
(cm)
Boun
dary
Matrix
Colour
Textu
re
Structu
re
Consiste
ncy
Pores Roots Effer
vesce
nce
Pedon 4 Alani (Lithic Ustorthents)
Ap 0-20 CS 10 YR 4/4 Scl f 1 gr 1 vfr ns np fm, cm vfm, fm -
C 20-34 - 10 YR 4/6 S f 1 gr fr ns np mm, cm ff, cm -
Pedon 1 Upla (Typic Ustochrepts)
Ap 0-15 CS 10 YR 3/2 Cl m 2 sbk S fr ss sp vfm, fm vff, fm e
BW 15-30 CS 10 YR 3/2 Scl F 1 sbk fr ss sp vfm, fm ff, cm -
C 30-59 - 10 YR 5/6 S c 3 gr 1 ns np cm cm -
Pedon 2 Upla (Typic Haplusters)
Ap 0-29 CS 10 YR 3/2 C m 2 abk Sh fr vs vp vfm, fm vfm, mc es
Bw1 29-42 CS 10 YR 3/2 C m 2 abk fr vs vp vfm, fm vfm, mc es
Bw2 42-61 CS 10 YR 3/2 C m 2 abk fr vs vp vfm, fm vfm, mc es
Bss1 61-87 CS 10 YR 3/2 C m 2 abk fr vs vp vfm, fm cm, vff es
Bss2 87-117 CS 10 YR 4/1 C m 2 abk fr vs vp vfm, fm ff, cm es
Ck 117-150 - 10 YR 4/3 Cl - fr ss sp vff, ff, cm ff, cm es
Table 8.Morphological characteristic of representative pedons Grape orchards in Osmanabad
District
Mane et al.(2015)

21. Horizo
nes
Depth
( cm)
Coarse
fragmen
t %
BD
(mg/cm
3)
HC
cm/hr
Partial size analysis
( %)
Moisture
retention % AWC
%
PAWC
mm
Sand Silt Clay 33kPa 1500
kPa
Pedon 4 Alani (Lithic Ustorthents)
Ap 0-20 18.4 1.43 13.8 50.4 19.6 30.0 23.1 10.9 12.2 33.60
C 20-34 32.2 1.52 16.9 50.85 21.65 27.5 15.9 7.5 8.4
Pedon 1 Upla (Typivc Ustochrepts)
Ap 0-15 12.5 1.42 21.2 19.5 45.5 35..0 19.5 7.9 11.6
BW 15-30 20.0 1.47 17.2 20.0 47.4 32.5 19.7 7.6 12.1 62.04
C 30-59 71.5 1.88 - 45.7 39.2 15.0 - - -
Pedon 2 Upla (Typic Haplusters)
Ap 0-29 10.0 1.46 4.8 6.5 38.9 55.0 41.3 31.2 10.1
Bw1 29-42 10.0 1.53 8.3 5.90 34.1 58.0 43.1 32.1 11.2
Bw2 42-61 9.0 1.68 5.4 6.7 31.3 62.0 45.6 33.2 12.4 281.73
Bss1 61-87 11.8 1.68 4.0 4.65 28.3 67.0 45.7 34.8 10.9
Bss2 87-117 14.7 1.73 4.6 6.8 27.8 67.5 42.7 31.8 11.9
Ck 117-150 26.3 1.89 - 35.9 24.1 40.0 32.8 21.6 11.2
Table9. Physical characteristic of representative pedons under grape orchards in
Osmanabad district
Mane et al.(2015)

22. Horiz
ones
Depth
( cm)
pH EC
dSm-1
OC
%
CaC
O3 %
CEC
(cmol
(p+)
kg-1 )
Cations
(cmol(p+) kg-1 ) Base
Saturat
ion %
Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+ Sum of
Cations
Pedon 4 Alani (Lithic Ustorthents)
Ap 0-20 7.35 0.21 1.20 2.50 34.30 19.00 12.00 0.30 0.70 32.70 95.33
C 20-34 7.19 0.21 1.00 2.40 30.20 18.50 9.00 0.30 0.40 28.30 93.70
Pedon 1 Upla (Typic Ustochrepts)
Ap 0-15 7.23 0.44 0.93 7.30 36.20 23.20 10.40 0.80 0.50 35.00 96.68
Bw 15-30 7.23 0.27 0.49 1.40 31.10 19.20 9.80 0.30 0.10 30.10 96.78
C 30-59 7.26 0.18 0.10 1.50 18.10 9.10 5.70 0.40 0.20 16.90 93.37
Pedon 2 Upla (Typic Haplusters)
Ap 0-29 7.97 0.30 0.45 12.00 62.00 33.00 23.00 3.87 0.90 60.70 97.90
Bw1 29-42 8.02 0.36 0.48 11.50 60.50 32.00 23.00 3.44 0.60 59.00 97.50
Bw2 42-61 8.11 0.20 0.25 9.50 58.40 30.00 24.00 2.73 0.60 57.30 98.10
Bss1 61-87 8.08 0.26 0.10 12.50 57.00 29.00 23.00 2.89 0.80 55.60 97.00
Bss2 87-117 8.06 0.34 0.33 14.50 57.80 31.60 20.00 3.60 0.80 56.00 96.80
Ck 117-150 8.10 0.35 0.12 25.20 46.10 26.00 16.00 2.70 0.40 45.10 98.20
Table 10. Chemical characteristic of the representative pedons under grape Orchards in Osmanabad
District.
Mane et al.(2015)

23. Table 11. Soils site suitability criteria (crop requirement) for Grape.
Soil- site characteristic Rating
Unit Highly
suitable S1
Moderately
suitable S2
Marginally
suitable S3
Not suitable N
Climatic regime Mean temp oC 25-30 31-35
20-24
36-40 --
Mean RH % 50-60 60-80 >80 --
Soil quality Soil requirements
Oxygen availability
to roots
Soil drainage
Class Well drained
Mod. To
Imperfectly Poorly V. poorly
Depth of water
table
m >2.50 >2.00 >1.50 --
Nutrient availability Texture Class Scl,l,sl,cl Sl,sc,sic,sicl,c C(s<60%) C(>60%),s,ls
pH 1:2.5 6.5-7.5 6.0-6.4, 7.6-8.0 4.0-5.9, 8.1-8.5 --
Rooting conditions Soil depth Cm 100-150 75-100 50-75 <50
Hard pan cm >250 150-250 75-150 <75
Soil toxicity Salinity(EC) dS/m Non saline Upto 1.0 1.0-2.5 >2.5
Sodicity (ESP) % Non sodic 5-10 10-15 >15
Erosion hazard Slope % <3 3-5 5-10 --
Naidu et al. (2006)

24. Table 12. Overall suitability classification of grape
Pedon
Contents
Yield
Q/ha
%
Yield
to
optim
um
Suitabili
ty
based
on
actual
yield
Slope Depth
Text
ure
HC
(Draina
ge)
o.c CaCO3
EC
dSm-1
pH
Suitabili
ty Class
Pedon 1 * -- -- ** ** -- -- -- S2 27.1 81.0 S1
Pedon 2 -- -- ** *** *** *** -- * S3 19.26 58.0 S2
Pedon 3 -- -- -- -- ** **** -- * N1 25.4 76.2 S2
Pedon4 -- * -- * * -- -- -- S1 29.6 88.8 S1
Pedon5 -- -- -- -- ** **** -- * N1 24.9 74.7 S2
Pedon6 * * ** -- -- *** -- * S3 29.4 88.2 S1
Optimum yield : 33.3t/ha
Limitation No, * Slight ., ** Moderate., *** Marginal., **** sever limit, ***** Very severe
S1 > 80% of optimum yield ,S2- 40 to 80%,S3 - 20 to 40% ,N - <20% Mane et al.(2015)

25. Table 13. Soil site suitability for Grape of
representative pedon of Osmanabad
Pedon Suitability class Limitation
ENTISOLS
(Lithic
Ustorthents)
Highly suitable Soil depth,O.C
INCEPTISOLS
(Typic
Ustochrepts)
Highly suitable O.C, drainage
VERTISOLS
(Typic
Haplusters)
Moderately suitable CaCO3, O.C,
drainage and
texture
Mane et al. (2015)

27. Horizo-
nes
Depth
(cm)
Matrix Colour Texture Structure Consistency effervescenc
e
Pedon 2. Fine- loamy, calcareous, Typic Rhodustalfs
Ap 0-18 5 YR 3/4 sl 1 m sbk sh vfr ss ps ev
Bt1 18-45 2.5 YR 3/6 sc 2 m sbk fr s p es
Bt2 45-76 2.5 YR 3/6 scl 2 m sbk fr s p es
Bt3 76-108 2.5 YR 3/4 scl 2 m sbk fr s p es
Bt4 108-142 2.5 YR 3/4 scl 2 m sbk fr s p es
Pedon 3. Fine loamy, Typic Paleustalfs
Ap 0-20 2.5 YR 3/4 sl 1 m sbk fr ss ps -
Bt1 20-62 2.5 YR 3/4 scl 2 m sbk fr ss ps -
Bt2 62-98 2.5 YR 3/6 scl 2 m sbk fr ss ps -
Bt3 98-135 5 YR 3/4 cl 2 m sbk fr s p -
Bt4 135-155 5 YR 3/4 c 2 m sbk fr s p -
Pedon1 . Very fine , smectitc, Vertic Haplusteps
Ap 0-15 10 YR 3/2 c 2 c sbk h vfi vs vp e
Bw1 15-33 10 YR 3/2 c 2 c sbk fi vs vp e
Bw2 33-55 10 YR 3/2 c 2 m sbk fi vs vp e
Table 14.Morphological characteristic of representative pedons Banana orchards in Pulivendla region
AP
Niranjana et al. (2011)

28. Horizon
es
Depth
( cm)
pH
(1.:2.5)
EC dSm-1
O.C (g
kg-1)
CaCO3
(g kg-1)
Sand
(0.05-
2mm)
Silt
(0.002
-0.05)
Clay
(<0.00
2mm)
CEC
(coml(p
+)kg-1
Base
saturat
ion (%)
Pedon 2. Fine- loamy, calcareous, Typic Rhodustalfs
Ap 0-18 8.6 0.16 3.6 20 74.9 10.3 14.8 7.6 >100
Bt1 18-45 8.6 0.15 2.0 30 51.4 13.2 35.4 15.8 >100
Bt2 45-76 8.6 0.17 1.4 30 50.9 13.7 35.4 16.8 >100
Bt3 76-108 8.6 0.19 1.1 70 54.4 15.2 30.4 17.3 >100
Bt4 108-142 8.6 0.20 0.1 80 54.2 15.1 30.7 15.7 >100
Pedon 3. Fine loamy, Typic Paleustalfs
Ap 0-20 8.6 0.25 4.7 10 71.1 14.7 14.7 7.2 >100
Bt1 20-62 8.6 0.21 3.8 10 45.5 27.6 26.9 15.5 >100
Bt2 62-98 8.5 0.16 3.5 20 55.4 19.1 25.5 12.6 >100
Bt3 98-135 8.0 0.12 3.3 10 42.7 21.9 35.4 17.9 >100
Bt4 135-155 7.7 10.5 3.1 10 31.6 31.6 48.5 23.2 >100
Pedon1 . Very fine , smectitc, Vertic Haplusteps
Ap 0-15 8.3 0.22 11.2 40 14.9 27.8 57.3 54.5 >100
Bw1 15-33 8.4 0.19 10.5 40 11.5 23.9 64.6 58.8 >100
Bw2 33-55 8.3 0.13 8.9 40 9.9 24.3 65.8 58.8 >100
Table 15.Physical and chemical characteristic of representative pedons Banana orchards
in Pulivendla regiom of AP
28Niranjana et al. (2011)

29. Table 16. Soils site suitability criteria (crop requirement)for Banana.
Soil- site characteristic Rating
Unit Highly
suitable S1
Moderately
suitable S2
Marginally
suitable S3
Not suitable N
Climatic regime Mean temp oC 26-33 34-36
24-25
37-38 >38
Total rainfall Mm/m
onth
100 50-100 25-50 <25
Soil quality Soil requirements
Oxygen availability
to roots
Soil drainage
Class Well drained
Mod. To
Imperfectly Poorly V. poorly
Depth of water
table
m >1.25 1.25-0.75 0.5-0.75 <0.5
Nutrient
availability
Texture Class l, cl,scl,sil Sicl,sc,c(<45%) C(>45%),sic,sl ls,s
pH 1:2.5 6.5-7.0 7.1-8.5 >8.5 --
Rooting conditions Soil depth Cm >125 76-125 50-75 <50
Stoniness % <10 10-15 15-35 >35
Soil toxicity Salinity(EC) dS/m <1.0 1.0-2.0 >2.0 --
Sodicity (ESP) % <5 5-10 10-15 >15
Erosion hazard Slope % <3 3-5 5-15 >15
Niranjana et al. (2011)

30. Table 17. Soil site suitability ratings for banana
Pedons
Soil
Depth
Drainage Textur
e
Topograph
y
Stoniness
CaCO3 Salinity/
alkalinity
Overall
suitability
Class
Surface
Sub
soil
Pedon 1 S3 S1 S3 S1 S1 S1 S1 S2 S3
Pedon 2 S1 S1 S1 S1 S1 S1 S1 S2 S2
Pedon 3 S1 S1 S1 S1 S1 S1 S1 S2 S2
Pedon 4 S3 S1 S3 S1 S1 S1 S1 S2 S3
Pedon 5 S3 S1 S2 S1 S1 S3 S3 S2 S3
Pedon 6 S1 S1 S2 S1 S1 S1 S2 S2 S2
Nirajana et al. (2011)

31. Pedon Suitability class Limitation
ALFISOL
( Typic Rhodustalfs and
Typic Paleustalfs )
Moderately suitable Alkalinity
INCEPTISOLS
(Vertic Haplusteps)
Marginally suitable Depth, texture and
alkalinity
Table 18.Soil site suitability for Banana of
representative pedon of Pulivendla, AP
Nirajana et al. (2011)

33. Horizone
s
Depth
(cm)
Matrix Colour Texture Structure Consistency Effervescen
ce
Pedon 1Clayey, Fine,Smectite (Calareous), Typic Haplustept
Ap 0-20 10 YR 4/2 c sbk sh fl s violent
Bk 20-35 10 YR 6/3 c sbk sh fl ss violent
Bwk 35-90 10 YR 5/4 c sbk sh vfl ss violent
Pedon 2 Clayey, Fine,Smectite (Calareous), Vertic Haplustert
Ap 0-22 10 YR 5/2 c sbk sh f ss strong
B 22-45 10 YR 4/3 c sbk sh f s strong
Bwk 45-60 10 YR 4/2 c sbk sh f s violent
Bssk 60-80 10 YR 6/4 c sbk sh f ns violent
Ck 80-90 10 YR 5/3 c sbk sh f ns violent
Pedon 3. Clayey, Fine,Smectite (Calareous), Vertic Haplustert
Ap 0-25 10 YR 5/3 c sbk sh f p slight
Bw 25-45 10 YR 4/2 c sbk sh f p strong
Bssk 45-70 10 YR 4/2 c sbk sh efl vp strong
Ck 70-100 10 YR 5/1 c sbk ah efl vp violent
Table 19. Morphological characteristic of representative pedons Citrus orchards in Nagpur district
Rupali et al. (2014)

34. Horizones Depth
( cm)
BD
(mg/cm3)
Partial size analysis
( %)
Moisture retention %
AWC
%
Sand Silt Clay 33kPa 1500 kPa
Pedon 1Clayey,Fine,Smectite (Calareous), Typic Haplustept
Ap 0-20 1.45 23.8 17.8 58.4 40.0 22.1 17.9
Bk 20-35 1.42 15.6 22.2 62.2 41.3 24.3 17.0
Bwk 35-90 1.43 16.8 21.2 62.0 43.5 25.9 17.6
Pedon 2 Clayey,Fine,Smectite (Calareous), Vertic Haplustert
Ap 0-22 1.43 14.8 24.9 60.3 38.5 26.0 12.3
B 22-45 1.44 15.7 21.7 62.6 42.4 25.8 16.6
Bwk 45-60 1.43 16.2 22.4 61.4 44.9 25.4 19.5
Bssk 60-80 1.48 17.2 22.2 60.6 42.3 25.0 17.3
Ck 80-90 1.49 20.9 22.4 56.7 44.5 26.8 17.7
Pedon 3. Clayey,Fine,Smectite (Calareous), Vertic Haplustert
Ap 0-25 1.46 10.4 26.2 63.4 38.9 22.8 16.1
Bw 25-45 1.50 14.8 16.8 68.4 36.0 22.4 17.8
Bssk 45-70 1.49 15.2 23.5 61.3 32.8 20.0 13.6
Ck 70-100 1.49 18.4 10.8 70.8 40.4 20.1 20.3
Table 20.Physical characteristic of representative soils (Pedons) of Citrus in Nagpur
district
Rupali et al. (2014)

35. Horiz
ones
Depth
( cm)
pH EC
dSm-1
OC
%
CEC
(cmol
(p+)
kg-1 )
Cations
(cmol(p+) kg-1 )
Base
Saturati
on %
Ca++ Mg++ Na+ K+ Sum
Pedon 1Clayey,Fine,Smectite (Calareous), Typic Haplustept
Ap 0-20 8.08 0.241 9.6 43.7 32.5 6.6 0.55 0.48 40.13 91.8
Bk 20-35 8.12 0.167 5.6 47.3 33.1 8.7 0.44 0.46 42.70 90.2
Bwk 35-90 8.13 0.187 3.8 44.9 33.2 5.0 0.43 0.35 38.98 86.6
Pedon 2 Clayey,Fine,Smectite (Calareous), Vertic Haplustert
Ap 0-22 7.76 0.548 8.7 50.1 38.5 6.4 0.48 0.50 45.88 91.6
B 22-45 7.86 0.499 7.3 51.0 38.7 7.3 0.46 0.44 46.94 92.0
Bwk 45-60 7.97 0.498 7.0 49.8 38.5 7.1 0.39 0.33 46.47 93.3
Bssk 60-80 8.12 0.234 5.9 47.5 37.9 7.0 0.39 0.30 45.73 96.2
Ck 80-90 8.15 0.318 5.3 43.7 34.1 6.0 0.58 0.40 41.08 94.0
Pedon 3. Clayey,Fine,Smectite (Calareous), Vertic Haplustert
Ap 0-25 7.70 0.350 10.1 49.8 36.4 7.6 0.50 0.45 45.01 90.3
Bw 25-45 8.37 0.304 9.9 51.9 36.8 7.9 0.50 0.48 45.68 88.0
Bssk 45-70 7.99 0.257 9.0 46.7 35.1 7.7 0.48 0.46 43.74 93.6
Ck 70-100 8.04 0.334 7.9 50.3 35.4 7.2 0.31 0.46 43.37 86.2
Table 21.Chemical characteristic of representative soils (Pedons) of Citrus in
Nagpur district
Rupali et al. (2014)

36. Table 22.Soils site suitability criteria (crop requirement) for Citrus.
Soil- site characteristic Rating
Unit Highly
suitable S1
Moderately
suitable S2
Marginally
suitable S3
Not suitable N
Climatic regime Mean temp oC 28-30 31-35
24-27
36-40
20-23
>4040
<20
Total rainfall mm 1200-1800 1000-1200 800-1000 <800
Soil quality Soil requirements
Moisture availability Length of
growing period
Days 240-265 180-240 150-180
<150
Oxygen availability
to roots
Soil drainage
Class Well drained
Mod. To
Imperfectly Poorly V. poorly
Nutrient availability Texture Class scl,l,sicl,cl,s, Sc,sc,c C(>70%) S,ls
pH 1:2.5 6.5-7.5 7.6-8.0 8.1-8.5 >8.5
CaCO3 In root
zone
% Non cal Upto 5 5-10 >10
Rooting conditions Soil depth Cm >150 100-150 50-100 <50
Hard pan cm >200 200-150 100-150 <100
Soil toxicity Salinity dS/m Non saline Upto 1.0 1.0-2.5 >2.5
Sodicity (ESP) % Non sodic 5-10 10-15 >15
Naidu et al. (2006)

37. Table 23.Degree and limitation of soil suitabality for citrus
Pedons Slope
Depth Drainage Texture Soil depth CaCO3 pH EC dSm-
1
suitability
Class
Pedon 1 S1 S2 S1 S3 S4 S1 S2 S4
Pedon 2 S1 S2 S1 S3 S3 S1 S2 S3
Pedon 3 S1 S2 S1 S3 S3 S1 S2 S3
Pedon 4 S1 S2 S1 S3 S3 S1 S2 S3
Pedon 5 S1 S2 S1 S3 S4 S3 S2 S4
Rupali et al. (2014)

38. Pedon Suitability class Limitation
INCEPTISOLS
(Typic Haplustept)
Not suitable Drainage,CaCO3, pH
and EC.
VERTISOLS
(Vertic Haplustert and
Vertic Haplustert)
Marginally suitable CaCO3 ,drainage.
Table 24.Soil site suitability for Citrus of
representative pedon of Telangkhedi garden,
Nagpur
Rupali et al. (2014)

39. Conclusion
 Pomegranate
The Typic Ustochrept (Inceptisol) soils underlined by loose weathered basalt ( murrum
layer) below 30 cm soil depth were found to be highly suitable (S1) followed by Typic
Ustorthants and Typic Haplusterts for pomegranate production in Maharashtra.
 Grape
The Lithic Ustorthent (Entisol) underlined by loose weathered basalt were found highly
suitable (S1) followed by Typic Ustochrepts (Inceptisol) preforming better in terms of
productivity of grape in Maharashtra.
 Banana
The Typic Rhodustalfs and Typic Paleustalfs (Alfisol) were moderately suitable (S2)
followed by Vertic Haplustepts (Inceptisol) (S3) for banana in Andhra Pradesh.
 Citrus
The Vertic Haplustert (vertisol) was marginally suitable (S3) and calcareous Typic
Haplustepts currently not suitable (N1) for production Citrus production in Nagpur
District.
From above however concluded that specific soil site selection for specific fruits crop
helps to increase the production and profitability of fruits .