Improving Soil Physical Conditions and Productivity of Mango in the Heavy Rainfall Region of South Gujarat, India Via Tillage Interventions

Abstract

Background: Perennial fruit orchards in humid tropical regions often experience progressive soil compaction due to repeated machinery traffic and prolonged absence of effective soil loosening, resulting in restricted water movement and sub-optimal root zone conditions. This problem is particularly acute in mango orchards in South Gujarat, India, which fall under the heavy-rainfall agro-ecological sub-region (AES-III). Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of different tillage practices on soil physico-chemical properties, mango phenology, productivity, machine performance, and economics. Methods: A field experiment was conducted for three consecutive years (2021–22 to 2023–24) at the Horticulture Farm of ACHF, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari. Seven tillage treatments comprising subsoil tillage, mould board ploughing, cultivator operation, conventional shallow tillage, their combinations and no-tillage were evaluated using a large-plot technique with three replications. Results: Deep tillage treatments, particularly subsoil tillage combined with cultivator operation, significantly improved infiltration rate, percolation rate and saturated hydraulic conductivity while reducing bulk density and electrical conductivity. Subsoil tillage combined with cultivator operation (T5) consistently recorded the highest infiltration rate (5.3 cm h⁻¹), percolation rate (4.3 cm h⁻¹), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (3.9 cm day⁻¹), along with the lowest bulk density (1.39 g cm⁻³). These improvements resulted in earlier flowering, fewer days to maturity, and significantly higher fruit yield and economic returns. Fruit yield was significantly higher under T5 (37.80 kg tree⁻¹ pooled). Economic analysis revealed that T5 provided the highest gross return (₹4,68,342 ha⁻¹), net return (₹3,66,342 ha⁻¹), and benefit–cost ratio (3.59), indicating its higher profitability. No-tillage consistently resulted in inferior soil physical conditions and lower yield. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of site-specific, periodic deep tillage strategies for sustaining soil health, orchard productivity and profitability under heavy rainfall conditions.