Assessment of soil nutrient status of mandarin orchards in Syangja, Nepal

Abstract

The research was conducted in Putalibazar, Bhirkot, and Waling municipality and Arjunchaupari rural municipality of Syangja district , Nepal in 2021 to assess the status of the primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), pH, and soil organic matter of the cultivated mandarin orchards located at different altitudes. There were six treatments: three in north-facing namely <900 meter above sea level (masl), 900-1100 masl, and >1100 masl, and three in south-facing namely <900 masl, 900-1100 masl, and >1100 masl. These treatments were replicated 4 times each in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). A total of 72 soil samples were taken from 0 to 30 cm soil depth in ‘V’ shaped pattern from last week of March to the first week of April. Analysis of soil samples was done in the regional soil testing laboratory Pokhara, Kaski. The altitude range had a considerable effect on soil nutrient status except for phosphorous and potassium availability. Both pH and soil organic matter content were found increasing with the increase in altitude. Soil pH level was found increasing with increase in altitude from 5.62 in <900 masl to 6.70 in altitude >1100 masl in south facing slope. Highest organic matter content (5.76%) was recorded in 900-1100 masl of north facing slope followed by lowest 3.76% in <900 masl in south facing slope. Similarly, highest nitrogen content (0.28%) was recorded in 900-1100 masl of north facing slope followed by lowest (0.18) in >1100 masl in south facing slope. Phosphorus and potassium were found highest in 900-1100 masl of both north and south facing slope. The findings of the research showed that the altitude range of 900-1100 masl and north-facing slope was suitable for mandarin cultivation from the nutrient status point of view.