MANGO: SOIL REQUIREMENTS UNDER DRY LAND CONDITIONS

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.
Last modified: Thursday, 7 June 2012, 10:11 AM