Characterization and classification of the Mawer forest soils of Lesser Himalayas of North Kashmir

Altitudinal and depth wise variation of physico-chemical properties, macronutrient status of soil and leaf and their correlation studies of HDP apple orchards under MM 106 rootstock of north Kashmir

“…The available magnesium did not exhibit any consistent trend with soil depth which can be attributed to stratification of these soils. This is in conformity with the findings of Najar et al (2009) [38] and Dar et al (2012) [12] . The higher contents of available magnesium in surface and sub-surface soils were found in the high density apple orchard soils of mid altitude followed by low and high altitude soils respectively may be due to high amount calcium carbonate and favorable pH.…”

“…This may be attributed to continuous organic manuring and addition of organic matter through vegetation and its bio recycling and low mineralization rates due to low temperature. The results were corroborating with the findings of Sharma et al (2005) [45] and Najar et al (2009) [38] . The organic carbon content varied with the altitude and relatively higher amount of organic carbon was observed in the soils of high altitude which could be attributed to low temperature and high rainfall favouring luxurious vegetation and increase in soil acidity that favours low rate of decomposition or mineralisation leading to consequent accumulation of organic matter in these soils.…”

“…Furthermore, the available potassium revealed decreasing trend with depth except P 5 and P 10 which showed an irregular trend with soil depth. This erratic distribution of available potassium may be due changes in weathering intensity during soil forming processes with climate and altitudinal gradients and was supported by Najar et al (2009) [38] , Bhat (2010), Dar et al (2013) [13] and Wani et al (2017) [6] . [55] and Dar (2009) [3] while studying apple and pear orchard soils respectively.…”