Introduction
Mangoes are a delicious fruit with a beautiful flavor and charming fragrance with excellent market demand all year round. Mango trees are vigorous and require less maintenance than other commercial fruit tree farming businesses. Hence, mango cultivation can be done anywhere without humidity, along with good rainfall and a dry atmosphere1. However, testing the soil before planting is essential to ensure a successful mango farming business. In this article, we will explore the importance of soil testing for mango farming and provide a guide for interested people.
Why is Soil Testing Important for Mango Farming?
Soil testing is essential for mango farming because it provides baseline information about the nutrients available in the soil and what is needed for healthy plant growth2. Soil testing can help determine the fertilization needs of your crops and assist in identifying problem conditions if they exist3. It can also help you collect representative soil samples to determine the most appropriate rootstock and helps determine the need for pre-plant fertilizers or soil amendments4.
Soil testing is a foundation for nutrient management. It helps to determine the pH level in your soil, which tells you if lime is needed. It also determines plant available phosphorus and potassium levels, which tells you if these levels are sufficient or if fertilizer is needed for crop needs and yield goals5.
How to Test Soil for Mango Farming?
Soil testing for mango farming involves collecting soil samples and sending them to a laboratory for analysis. Soil and plant tissue tests are important to verify nutritional requirements. The general approach toward correcting any deficiency is via soil amendments or fertilization6.
To collect soil samples, dig a profile pit of 3 X 3 X 3 ft. and observe the soil for any conditions that may cause flower and fruit shedding and breaking of branches7. Collect soil samples for every one-foot soil depth from the suitable lands profile pit dug out. Based on the soil test report, if the soil pH is 7.0 to 8.0, it is ideal for mango cultivation4.
Soil testing should be done every 1 to 5 years in specialty crops, depending on the crop. Try to sample at the same time every year to allow for better comparisons over time. Collect a representative sample containing soil from throughout the area of interest. Submit samples to the soil testing laboratory for analysis and recommendations2.
What to Look for in Soil Testing Results?
Soil testing results provide information about the nutrients available in the soil and what is needed for healthy plant growth. Optimum leaf nutrient ranges for mango include nitrogen (N) at 1.0 – 1.5%, potassium (P) at 0.75 – 1.20%, phosphorus (K) at 0.1 – 0.2%, calcium (Ca) at 2.0 – 3.5%, chloride (Cl) at < 0.25%, magnesium (Mg) at 0.15 – 0.40%, sodium (Na) at < 0.20%, sulfur (S) at 0.1 – 0.2%, boron (B) at 50 – 70 mg/kg, copper (Cu) at 10 – 20 mg/kg, and iron (Fe) at 30 – 120 mg/kg8.
Soil testing results can help you determine what nutrients to apply and how much. They can also help you develop a nutrient management plan based on soil nutrient availability. Soil testing can provide a decision-making tool to determine what nutrients to apply and how much, leading to the potential for higher-yielding and higher-quality crops and more efficient fertilizer use5.
Conclusion
Soil testing is an important step in mango farming. It provides baseline information about the nutrients available in the soil and what is needed for healthy plant growth. Soil testing can help determine the fertilization needs of your crops and assist in identifying problem conditions if they exist. Testing the soil before planting is essential to ensure a successful mango farming business. Following this article’s guidelines, you can ensure that your mango trees grow healthy and produce delicious fruit.
I am Gaushoul Agam,
𝐂𝐨-𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 & 𝐂𝐄𝐎,
ToAgriculture
As an experienced SA Horticulture Officer in the Horticulture Wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, I am dedicated to advancing agriculture and farming.
With a mission to address global food safety challenges amid a growing population, diminishing arable land, and the impacts of climate change on agriculture, I founded ToAgriculture. Through this platform, I empower readers with modern agricultural techniques, effective pest and disease control, and sustainable agricultural management, leading to a more secure and prosperous future in agriculture.
With over four years of expertise in field crops and seven years in horticulture crops, my knowledge spans fruit and vegetable farming techniques, adept pest-disease management, proficient irrigation strategies, and the art of grafting. Join me on this journey of discovery as I share insights and experiences to guide readers toward a sustainable future.
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