In India, cassava is cultivated in varied agroclimatic and pedogenic environments. In Kerala state, where it has been introduced into India more than 300 years ago, it is cultivated mostly in laterite soils (Ultisols) (Byju and Varghese, 1999, 2001a). In Tamil Nadu state, where it is cultivated mainly for the industrial uses, cassava is grown in black soils (Vertisols) and red soils (Alfisols). In Andhra Pradesh state, where also it is cultivated mainly for industrial uses, cassava is cultivated in sandy loam and coastal alluvial soils (Inceptisols). Tables 1-4 summarise the soil physico-chemical characteristics of the major soil orders where cassava is cultivated in India (Byju and Varghese, 1998, Byju, 2000, CTCRI, 2004, 2005). This is based on very detailed survey and sample collection done in the major cassava growing regions over the past ten years. A detailed soil resource inventory database of the major cassava growing areas is also maintained in CTCRI.

References:

Byju, G. 2000. Pedological and management aspects of hardening and softening of laterites under different land use systems. Ph.D. thesis, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala, India. p.196

Byju, G. and T. Varghese. 1998. Physico-chemical characteristics of laterites under cassava in three selected Alfisols of Kerala. J. Root Crops 24 (2): 127-136.

Byju, G. and T. Varghese. 1999b. Soil acidity parameters of three selected laterite soils under cassava from Kerala. J. Root Crops. 25(2): 179-184

Byju, G. and T. Varghese. 2001a. Influence of land uses on soil acidity parameters in a typical laterite terrain from Kerala. J. Trop. Agri. 39: 124-127.

CTCRI. 2004. Annual Report 2002-2003. Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram. pp. 39-40.

CTCRI. 2005. Annual Report 2004-2005. Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram. pp. 48-50.