Distribution of micronutrients in soil of Garhi tehsil, Banswara district of Rajasthan, India.

Abstract

Distribution of available micronutrients and their relationship with different soil properties was studied in one hundred soil samples collected from different locations of 25 villages representing the soils of Garhi Tehsil of Banswara district, Rajasthan. The soils were analysed for textural separates, physico-chemical properties and status of available micronutrients. Texture of soils varied from sandy clay loamy to clay loam. On the basis of pH and EC values, these soils were found neutral to moderately alkaline and non-saline in nature. Majority of the soils under study area were found deficient in available zinc followed by iron, sufficient to adequate in available copper and manganese. The availability of micronutrients in soils significantly influenced by soil properties viz. textural separates, organic carbon, CaCO3, CEC and pH of soils. Available zinc ranged between 0.22 and 1.16 mg kg-1 with a mean value of 0.63 mg kg-1 , available iron ranged from 2.23 to 27.64 mg kg-1 with a mean value of 7.75 mg kg-1. Available copper ranged between 0.42 and 1.9 mg kg-1 with a mean value of 0.79 mg kg-1 . Available manganese ranged between 2.10 and 17.6 mg kg-1 with a mean value of 7.42 mg kg-1. Organic carbon, clay, and CEC were positively correlated with available Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn while pH, CaCO3 and sand were negatively correlated.