NUTRIENT INDEXING OF GUAVA ORCHARDS IN HISAR DISTRICT OF HARYANA, india

Soil and leaf samples were collected from 12 Guava orchards of 3-35 years of age with average growth and productivity in the month of August 2008. The gross return varied from Rs 3000-60,000 as per acre as the statement of growers. The E.C, p.H and O.C of surface soil samples (0-30 cm) were found almost similar with non orchard soils. The available N, P and K contents of surface soil was higher than the available N, P and K contents of non orchard soil. The nitrogen of the surface soil had low index values where as phosphorus and potassium had high index value. Micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe) of surface soil samples had high index values. Guava plants had sufficient amount of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn. In case of nitrogen, 83% orchards were found to be deficient. Deficiencies of orchards were higher in case of P and K. The present study clearly indicates that the soil conditions exert considerable influence on nutrient status of the fruit trees.