Abstract
This study was undertaken with the aim of examining soil and plant macronutrient status (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S) and their interaction to understand causes of low apple yield. Murree region was studied being major apple cultivated area in Punjab. Surveyed apple orchards were selected from all union councils of Murree. Out of thirteen orchard sites, soils of seven sites have been classified as clay loam, three sandy clay loam, two clayey and one loam. Electrical conductivity varied from 0.12 to 2.00 dS m-1 at surface and 0.12 to 1.60 dS m-1 at subsurface soil. Surface soil pH ranged from 7.2 to 8.4. Orchard soils were low in nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and potassium. Calcium was deficient in all the orchards sites while a general deficiency of magnesium was observed in the area. Apple orchards were deficient in foliage nitrogen, potassium and magnesium but sufficient in phosphorus and calcium contents. Both in soil and foliage, there was a general deficiency of nitrogen, potassium and sulphur. A variable trend of correlation between plant and surface, subsurface N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S was established. Insufficient nutrient status of apple orchards could be the major concern for low yield in the area.
M. Siddique1, 1 , M.T. Siddique*,, S. Ali1 , A.S. Javed2. (2009) Macronutrient assessment in apple growing region of Punjab , The Journal Soil & Environment , Volume 28, Issue 2.
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