Characterization and Classification of Major Mango-Supporting Soils in Semi-arid Ecosystem of South Deccan Plateau, Telangana

Abstract

Detailed soil survey was carried out along the major mango-growing areas of three districts of Telangana
state experiencing hot moist semi-arid climate, to characterize and classify the soils. Three series were
identified namely, Masanpalli series (Siddipet district), Uplingapur series (Medak district), and Dharmapur1
series (Mahabubnagar district). The soils of Masanpalli series were moderately shallow with slightly acidic
(pH 6.3), dark brown, loamy sand surface over moderately to slightly acidic (pH 5.7-5.1), reddish brown
gravelly clay sub-surface. Uplingapur soils were very deep, moderately acidic (pH 5.9), with subangular
blocky structure, and yellowish brown, sandy surface over moderately acidic (pH 5.7), dark red, sandy clay
sub-surface. Dharmapur 1 soils were moderately deep, with dark brown, moderately alkaline (pH 7.96),
gravelly sandy loam A horizons and dark reddish brown colour, neutral, sandy clay loam to gravelly sandy
clay B horizons. Based on USDA soil taxonomy at the family level soils of Masanpalli series were
classified as loamy-skeletal, mixed, Typic Haplustalfs, soils of Uplingapur series were classified as fine,
kaolinitic, Rhodic Paleustalfs, and soils of Dharmapur 1 series were classified as Clayey-skeletal, mixed,
Typic Rhodustalfs. It was observed that strong acidity of soils of Uplingapur series, low organic carbon and
gravelliness in soils of Masanpalli and Dharmapur 1 series pose limitation to mango cultivation. Hence,
suitable management interventions need to be adopted to improve the production efficiency of mango
orchards in the area.