Characterization and classification of orange growing soils in Nagpur district of Maharashtra and the effect of soil parameters on crop performance.

Out of twelve pedons studied, five representative pedons of major orange growing soils in Nagpur district of Maharashtra were selected in a tramect. These soils fall under agro-ecological subregion 10.2 (K4Cd5). Physiographically these soils occur on foot slopes (pedon I). upper sectors (pedon 2), middle sectors (pedon 3), lower sectors (pedon 4) of main valley and on narrow flood plain (pedon 5). The soils of foot slopes are situated at an elevation of 520 m above MSL and the soils on flood plain are located at 300 m above MSL. The soils on higher element of topography are moderately deep, well drained and gravelly and the soils in lower element of topography are moderately well drained, deep and clayey. The pH of the soils ranges from 8.1 to 8.4 and the CEC ranges from 30.7 to 67.0 cmol (p+) kg-I. Majority of the soils show calcareousness which ranges ti'om 4.4 to 26.0 per cent. These soils are classified as Typic Haplustepts (pedon I), Vertic Haplustepts (pedon 2 and 3), Udic Haplusterts (pedon 4) and Typic Haplusterts (pedon 5). A multivariate yield model suggested the combined effect of soil parameters on the performance of the orange orchards in the area.