Analysis of Physicochemical Properties, Available Nutrients of Soil and their Correlation with Incidence of Telya Disease of Pomegranate at Northern Nasik, Maharashtra

Maharashtra government reported 10,000 crore production loss of Pomegranate every year, due to the incidence of Telya disease. The present study was aimed to analyse the physical, chemical properties, and available micro-macronutrients in the soil of pomegranate orchards infected with Telya disease. Estimation of incidence and severity of disease was done on fifty selected orchards from different villages that were MangiTungi, Daswel, Dasane, Mulher, and Sompur. Results revealed that minimum incidence (58.66%) and severity (59.89%) were recorded in Sompur village whereas maximum incidence (74.40%) and severity (68.70%) were recorded in Daswel and MangiTungi village respectively. The pH (7.5-7.9) and free lime concentration 7.4-9.4%) were exceptionally very high for all test and control samples. Deficiency of essential macronutrients N (<150-250 Kg/ha) and K (<125-200 Kg/ha) was recorded in all test samples along with additional deficiency of Zn micronutrient (<1.0-2.0 ppm). In the case of mock orchards, all the parameters were in accordance with reference values.Statistical analysis of data declared that there was a significant difference among parameters of tested groups (P>0.05) while for control fields there were no significant differences (P<0.05). Further, a positive correlation between macro-micronutrients (Na, Ca, N, P, K, Mn) and incidence of disease was recorded which concludes that an imbalance in nutrients promotes growth of pathogens and increases susceptibility of plants to pathogenic attack. Further, balancing nutrients through fertilisers or foliar spray could be an effective strategy for an integrated pest management system.