Assessment of some soil characteristics of apple orchards using nutrient index value approach

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Associate Professor, Soil and Water Research Dept., West Azerbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Urmia, Iran.

Abstract

Evaluating soil properties is crucial for understanding soil health and optimizing apple production. This study was carried out to evaluate some physical, chemical, and fertility properties using nutrient index value (NIV (approach of apple orchards in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Samples were collected from 148 sampling points, each from one apple orchard, at the depths of 0–30 and 30-60 cm. Samples were analyzed for particle size distribution, saturation percentage, pH, EC, equivalent CaCO3 (CCE(, organic carbon (OC(, available phosphorus (Pava) and potassium (Kava). Data generated from laboratory analysis were subjected to statistical analysis. Data interpretation was performed using the nutrient index value based on the common and Gomez classification methods. Results revealed that soils of the study area were medium to high alkaline (75%) with moderate to high calcium carbonate equivalent (89.5%). About 75% of samples were low (less than 0.9%) and medium (25%) in category of soil organic carbon (0.9-13.1%). Also, 50% of the soils had Pava less than 2.6 mg/kg (low class) and 50% had optimal to high Pava (more than 5.8 mg kg-1). In more than 25% of the soils, the Kava was low (144 mg/kg), and more than 75% were medium to high. The results indicated that 93.7%, 93%, 85.5%, 89.5%, 98.69%, 95.9%, and 83.4% of the study areas were in the high NIV classes for EC, pH, CCE, OC, Pava, and Kava, respectively. Similar results were obtained for all soil parameters, except for Pava in the common method. In the common method, 78% of the soils showed the low NIV class. Hence, it is concluded that the soils of the region have relatively favorable characteristics for the growth of apple trees, and in the conditions of proper orchard management, high-quality apple production is achievable.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Iranian Journal of Soil Research
Volume 39, Issue 2
September 2025
Pages 205-220

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