Pedogenesis and Suitability Evaluation of Major Mango-supporting Soils across Agro-climatic Zones of Southern Karnataka, India

Abstract

The relationship between pedogenesis, soil properties, and crop suitability is crucial for sustainable mango cultivation; therefore, this study assessed pedogenic processes and mango soil suitability across contrasting agro-climatic zones of southern Karnataka, India. Seven representative mango-supporting pedons were studied across four agro-climatic zones of southern Karnataka. classified as Rhodic Kandiustults, Kanhaplic Rhodustults, Rhodic Kandiustalfs, Kandic Paleustalfs, Typic Rhodustalfs, Aquertic Haplustalfs, and Dystric Haplustepts at sub group level and were evaluated for their suitability and based on inherent soil properties. Desilication, clay illuviation, and base leaching were the dominant pedogenic processes, accompanied by rubefaction, ferralitization, brunification, and ferrugination. Hierarchical cluster analysis broadly supported the dominance of highly weathered Ultisol-type soils, consistent with desilication and kaolinitic clay mineralogy. Soil suitability assessment indicated that limiting factors for mango cultivation were slope and shallow depth, particularly in Magadi (P3), and high sub-soil pH (>7.5), resulting in a marginally suitable (S3). In Ramanagara, depth and drainage limitations led to a moderately suitable rating (S2). Pedons 1 (Sorab), P5 (Gubbi), and P6 (Bangalore North) were identified as highly suitable (S1) for mango cultivation. This integrated approach can support site-specific land-use planning and sustainable management of mango orchards in southern Karnataka and other regions with comparable pedogenic environments.