Assessing soil fertility of a laterite soil in relation to yield of arecanut (Areca catechu L.) in humid tropics of India

The purpose of the study was to determine optimum nutrient norms for laterite soils (Ultisols) and to assess quantitative relationship of soil fertility, leaf nutrients and nutrient uptake with yield of arecanut. At 0–30 cm soil depth, optimum nutrient concentration for P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and B was established as 15, 192, 925, 179, 37, 88, 26, 5.5 and 1.4 mg kg− 1, respectively. Optimum ranges for different nutrients were found out from second degree polynomial equations. Optimum nutrient values were higher for laterite soils in arecanut tract than generalized guidelines for interpretation of soil analysis data. Multivariate analysis of nutrient data indicated that nutrient uptake/removal would explain the variability in yield more than actual nutrient concentrations in soil and leaf with high degree of relation (R2 = 0.92–0.98). Stepwise regression analysis identified the soil and leaf nutrient variables with a significant influence on the kernel yield of arecanut. The loadings of principal component analysis were in confirmation with the correlations among the nutrient variables and yield. The study clearly establishes the direct and significant relationship between soil nutrient status/nutrient uptake and yield. The findings of the study give scope for precision agriculture and judicious use of inputs.

► Relation between soil fertility and arecanut yield was assessed in laterite soils.
► Optimum nutrient values for laterite soils in arecanut tract were established.
► Optimum nutrient values were higher for laterite soils than generalized guidelines.
► Nutrient uptake explained the yield variability better than soil/leaf nutrients.
► Optimum soil fertility ensures higher yields of arecanut in laterite soils.