Survey of the nutrient status of apple orchards in Himachal Pradesh

Soil and leaf samples from twenty representative apple orchards of Mandi district of Himachal Himalayas were studied for assessing their nutritional status. The analysis showed deficient to low contents of N, P, K, Mg, Zn and B in some areas. The leaf analysis values exhibited significant and positive correlation co-efficient values for N, P, Ca, Cu and B with both surface and sub-surface soils. Sand Mn contents, however, showed significant and positive relationship only for surface soils. Available Ca, Zn and Fe contents in soils were found significantly related to fruit yield. For B, such a correlation existed only with sub-surface soil. Leaf N, Ca and Fe also exhibited significant and positive relationship with fruit yield.