Soil characterization of almond (Prunus dulcis) growing areas of Kashmir Valley, India

Abstract

There are a number of factors viz. low fertility status, low soil moisture availability, shallow soil depth, presence of hard pan in the subsurface soils, abundance of gravels and poor crop management practices responsible for low productivity of almond. Among these, the physicochemical properties and fertility status of soils which directly concern with productivity of this fruit crop is more important than other factors. Since scanty information is available on this aspect, a study was conducted to characterize physico-chemical properties of soils of almond growing areas of Kashmir valley.