Orchard Management (1+1)

MANGO: SOIL REQUIREMENTS UNDER DRY LAND CONDITIONS

Soil requirements for cultivation under dry land conditions:

• Mangoes can be grown under dry land conditions, provided the soil has the ability to retain moisture that can be available to the plants in drier periods. These soils have a depth of at least 600 mm and a clay content of between 15 and 30 %.
• Soils with lower or higher clay content will not be able to supply sufficient moisture to the plants.

Soil pH:

• Mango trees grow best in soils with pH values of 6 to 7.2.
• If the soil-exchangeable aluminium (Al) is not more than 30 ppm, soils with a pH of 5.5 or higher may be used.
• At pH values lower or higher than 6 to 7.2 the trees may however, suffer trace-element deficiencies, especially phosphate and potassium.

Trace elements:

• A minimum calcium content of 200 ppm is desirable.
• The ideal potassium status is from 80 to 200 ppm.
• A phosphate content of at least 20 ppm is required

Soil preparation: Proper soil preparation is very important because it will last for the lifetime of the plantation. The most important advantages are:

• Better root development
• Improved soil drainage and reduced runoff
• Improved water penetration (rain and irrigation)
• Better utilisation of nutrients
• Greater tolerance towards diseases
• Larger fruit size
• Increased yield
• Prolonged economic lifespan.

Components of soil preparation: The most important components of soil preparation are:

• Proper examination of the soil (physical and chemical) which include soil type, soil strength (Compaction), soil texture, soil depth and drainage capacity of soil.
• Supplying lime and phosphate into the root zone: A chemical analysis is necessary to determine lime or phosphate requirements. Soils where mangoes are to be planted should be sampled at least 9 months prior to planting.
• Deep plough or rip cultivation
• Construction of ridges if necessary.