Distribution of Micronutrients in Soil in Rainfed Production Systems of India

Abstract

Soil samples at twentyone locations of the All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA) were characterized for micronutrient availability of Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu and B based on profile sampling. These twenty one locations cover agro-ecological regions from 2.3 to 12.3, semi-arid, arid and sub-humid climate, soils of Vertisols, Vertic sub-groups, Alfisols, Inceptisols and Aridisols. Rainfall ranged from 412 to 1378 mm among locations. Various physico-chemical properties of 21 profiles indicated that most of the locations were low in organic carbon showing less than 0.5 per cent. Clay content varied widely among soil types. Low organic matter in these soils was one of the important factors contributing to low soil fertility. Available Zn was below critical limit in Rajkot, Anantapur, Rewa, Akola, Bellary, Bijapur and Solapur, Agra, SK.Nagar, Arjia, Hoshiarpur and Rakh Dhiansar. Iron was deficient in Rajkot, Bellary and Bijapur. Out of 21 centres, 11 (Varanasi, Agra, Phulbani, Rajkot, Rewa, Akola, Bellary, Bijapur, Solapur, Arjia and SK. Nagar) are boron deficient.