Identification and delineation of suitable areas for mango, banana, citrus and cashew crops in Andhra Pradesh.
Naidu L. G. K., Srinivas S., Reddy G. S., Kumar S. C. R., Reddy R. S.
Author Affiliation: National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Regional Centre, Hebbal, Bangalore - 560 024, India.
Agropedology 19 : 30-40
Abstract : Andhra Pradesh is one of the important states contributing to the major share in production of mango, banana, citrus and cashew crops in the country. Soils and climatic conditions of major fruit crop-growing districts were evaluated for their suitability using FAO guidelines to identify and delineate potential areas for these crops. Based on the suitability assessment, parts of West Godavari, Khammam, East Godavari, Chittoor, Krishna and Vizianagaram districts are found as the most potential areas for mango, Nellore for acid lime, Anantapur and Nalgonda for sweet orange, Guntur, West Godavari and East Godavari for banana, and West and East Godavari districts as suitable areas for cashew production. Suitable areas for expansion of mango, banana, sweet orange, acid lime and cashew crops in major districts have been demarcated. Shorter growing period, poor fertility status, poor drainage, presence of calcium carbonate and gravels in the subsoils are identified as major constraints.