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
I am an experienced Horticulture Officer in the Department of Agricultural Extension in Bangladesh. I am committed to improving agriculture and farming.
I created ToAgriculture to address global food safety concerns. These concerns are caused by a growing population, diminishing farmland, and the impact of climate change on agriculture. I assist readers in learning modern farming techniques.
I also help them control pests and diseases. Additionally, I guide managing agriculture sustainably. All of this is aimed at creating a better and more successful future in farming.
I have experience in field crops and horticulture crops. I know about fruit and vegetable farming, managing pests and diseases, irrigation, and grafting. Come with me as I share my knowledge and experiences to help you create a better future.