Micronutrients status of mango (Mangifera indica) orchards in Multan region, Punjab, Pakistan, and relationship with soil properties

Abstract

Abstract Mango orchards in Pakistan are deficient in soil micronutrients. Multan is one of the prime regions for mango production in Pakistan; therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the micronutrient status of mango orchards in the Multan region. Soil samples from four different depths (0–30, 30–60, 60–90, and 90–120 cm) and leaf samples were collected from thirteen different locations of Multan. Depth-wise variations in the micronutrient status and the levels of pH, EC, CEC, SOM, and CaCO3 were determined. All data collected from the field and laboratory work of mango orchards under study were analyzed statistically by applying the RCBD design. It was observed that pH and ECe of soil under study were significantly higher in upper depths when compared with lower depths whereas CaCO3 content was contrary to pH and EC as it was observed to be higher from the lower depth of the soil. Moreover, mango leaves from the majority of locations were deficient in total micronutrients due to poorly available micronutrients status of the soil. Thus, there is a serious need to improve the chemical properties of the soil, and the proper dose of micronutrients should be applied every season for sufficient supply throughout the growing cycle of mango in and around the Multan region.