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(59.8%) whereas the deficiency of Fe was prevalent in the areas of North Gujarat Plain
(including Aravalli range and east Rajasthan uplands) (22%). Deficiency of Cu ranged from
0.7 to 4% whereas Mn deficiency varied from 5.6 to 24%. Boron deficiency was prevalent in
North Gujarat Plain and Ganga Yamuna Doab, Rohilkhand and Avadah Plain.

Central (Malwa) highland

The Central (Malwa) Highlands covering an area of 17.6 m ha, include Gujarat plains and
Kathiawar Peninsula Ecoregion, covers an area of 17.6 m ha, with hot and wet summer and
dry winter climate. The dominant soils are loamy to clayey Ustochrepts and nearly level to
very gently sloping deep black soils (Chromusterts). Dryland farming is practiced in the
region and usually cotton, chillies, sorghum, pearlmillet, pigeonpea, groundnut, soybean,
maize and pulses are grown. The deficiency of Zn varied from 33 to 46% and that of Fe from
11.1 to 41.8%. However, the deficiencies of Cu and Mn were negligible. Deficiency of B
ranged from 13.3 to 26.2%.

Deccan plateau

The Deccan Plateau, hot semi-arid eco- region comprises of the central and western parts of
Maharashtra, northern parts of Karnataka and western parts of Andhra Pradesh and
spreads over an area of 31 m ha, dominated by moderately to gently sloping Ustorthents and
Ustropepts soil types. The climate is characterized by hot and humid summer, and mild and
dry winter. Sorghum, pigeonpea and pearlmillet are major kharif crops. Analysis of soil
samples showed wide spread B deficiency in the region, being highest in south western
Maharashtra and north Kanataka Plateau (55%) followed by north Sahyadris and western
Karnataka Plateau (42.1%). The deficiency of Zn was also prevalent in the sub-region ranging
from 8.9 to 39.8%, whereas Fe deficiency varied from 15.7 to 28.2%.

Deccan plateau and Eastern Ghats

The Deccan Plateau (Telangana) and Eastern Ghats is hot semiarid eco-region with three
AESRs covering the part of the Deccan plateau (Telangana) and major parts of eastern Ghats of

Andhra Pradesh. It occupies an area of 16.5 m ha, with red and black soil. The major Kharif
crops grown in the area are sorghum, cotton, pigeon pea, rice, groundnut and castor whereas
at some stored/residual soil moisture sorghum, sunflower, safflower and some oilseeds are
also grown. At some places rice is cultivated under irrigation in rabi season. In this region,
the deficiencies of Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu and B ranged from 15.8-31.8, 6.9-14.4, 0.5-5.3 and 4.0-
33.0%, respectively. The extent of deficiency was greater in north Telangana red and
mixed black soil, and least in deep loamy to mixed red & black soil of Eastern Ghat.

Eastern Ghats and Ta mil Nadu Uplands and Deccan
The Eastern Ghats and Tamil Nadu Uplands and Deccan (Karnataka) Plateau is hot semi-
arid eco-region, covering an area of l9. l m ha. The major soils of the area are moderate to
gently sloping Ustorthents and Ustropepts, w ith gently to very gently sloping
Rhodustalfs and Plinthustalfs. The millets, pulses and groundnut a re cultivated i n kharif
season, while sorghum and safflower are grown in rabi season.