The Pedospheric Variation of DTPA-Extractable Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu and Other Physicochemical Characteristics in Major Soil Orders in Existing Land Use Systems of Punjab, India

The agricultural production in Punjab has increased manifold that aggravated the deficiencies of micronutrients in soils and plants. The availability of soil micronutrients in different soil orders depends upon the soil mineralogy, topography, climatic conditions and cropping sequences. Hence, to study the pedospheric variations of DTPA-extractable micronutrients, viz., zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu), in three prominent soil orders of Punjab, a total of 144 depth-wise soil samples were collected from four major land-use systems (cultivated, horticulture, forest and pasture lands). The DTPA extractable micronutrients varied from 1.74–2.81, 1.83–2.82 and 1.81–2.80 for Zn; 5.3–6.8, 5.6–6.9, 4.3–6.3 for Fe; 5.1–7.8, 5.5–7.9, 5.4–7.5 for Mn; and 0.84–1.40, 0.93–1.68, 0.87–1.65 for Cu in soil orders Aridisol, Entisol and Inceptisol, respectively. The average content of DTPA-extractable micronutrients was highest under soil order Entisol followed by Inceptisol and Aridisol. The content of micronutrients showed a declining trend with increase in soil depth in all orders. Among different soil properties, the pH and EC showed significantly negative correlation, however, OC had non-significant correlation with DTPA-extractable micronutrients in soils. Therefore, it is concluded that parent material, land use systems and soil depth affected the distribution of DTPA extractable micronutrients in different soil orders.

Risk of heavy metals accumulation in soil and wheat grains with waste water irrigation under different NPK levels in alkaline calcareous soil

A field study was conducted on the reuse of wastewater from Mardan city to evaluate its risk of contaminating soil and wheat grains at different NPK levels. Three irrigation sources i.e. waste water (WW), canal water (CW) and alternate waste + canal water (WW+CW) were applied to wheat (cv Atta Habib 2010) grown at 0, 50, 75 and 100% NPK levels of 120:90:60 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha-1 at Palatoo Research Farm, Amir Muhammad Khan Campus, Mardan during 2015.The results showed higher grain and biomass yields in WW irrigated plots as compared to CW at NPK levels up to 50% of recommending dose revealing supplementing nutrient requirements in deficient conditions. However, irrigation of WW at higher NPK levels especially at or beyond 75% of recommended dose tended to reduce the crop yield that could be associated with heavy metals toxicity and nutritional imbalances. The use of WW substantially increased AB-DTPA extractable Zn, Mn, Pb, Ni and Cd indicating a potential threat to soil contamination. Similarly, WW irrigated wheat had higher concentrations of these heavy metals as compared to CW which limits its use for production purposes without any remediation measures. The alternate use of CW and WW as revealed by its comparative lower contamination in soil and wheat than sole WW could be one of the possible solutions and may increase the time required for threshold soil contamination.

The Effects of Cultivating Tobacco and Supplying Nitrogenous Fertilizers on Micronutrients Extractability in Loamy Sand and Sandy Soils

This research was conducted to evaluate the trends of the extractable micronutrients boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in soils differing in textures and collected before tobacco cultivation, and in after unfertilized and fertilized (N10P18K24 and CAN 27%) plots. The soils and tobacco leaves were assessed on the contents of the micronutrients after unfertilized and fertilized tobacco cultivation. In soils, tobacco cultivation with fertilization increased the extractable Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn by 0.10, 11.03, 8.86, and 0.08 mg kg−1, respectively, but decreased the extractable B by 0.04 mg kg−1. The effects of fertilization increased the extractable Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn by 0.14, 14.29, 9.83, and 0.24 mg kg−1, respectively, but decreased B by 0.08 mg kg−1. The combination effects of tobacco cultivation and fertilization increased the extractable Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn by 0.24, 25.32, 18.69, and 0.32 mg kg−1, respectively, but decreased the extractable B by 0.12 mg kg−1. The results revealed that the solubility of the extractable Zn, Mn, Cu, and Fe in soils were increased by both tobacco and fertilization, but the extractable B was decreased. The fertilization of the studied soils with NPK + CAN fertilizers significantly increased the concentration of the extractable micronutrients in tobacco leaves. Based on the findings of this study, further research must be conducted to investigate the effects of tobacco cultivation on soil health and fertility beyond considering only soil pH, SOC, micronutrients, and macronutrients. These studies should include the relationship between soil fertility (pH, texture, CEC, base saturation, etc.), micronutrients, and agronomic practices on the effect of tobacco cultivation on the extractability of B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn.

Distribution of DTPA Extractable Micronutrients in Soils of Central Telangana Region of Telangana

Forty soil samples from ten pedons of the Central Telangana region, Telangana were studied for the vertical distribution of DTPA extractable. Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn and their relationship with some soil properties. Soil pH, CaCO3,, organic carbon and particle-size distribution had a strong influence on the distribution of these micronutrients. The content of the micronutrient increased with the an increase in organic carbon and decreased with an increase in pH and CaCO3. There was a decreasing trend for the distribution of these micronutrients with respect to depth. As per the critical limit prescribed for Zn, and Fe, 55 and 12% of the soil could be rated as deficient in available zinc and iron, respectively. Copper and manganese were found to be adequate.

Soil and Plant Analysis - A Strategic Tool to Diagnose Micronutrient Imbalance in Lime and Sapota Orchard in Tablelands of Chambal Ravine Region of India

Micronutrient imbalance in lime and sapota fruit crops result in unstable fruit yield, fruit shedding and degrade quality of the produce. A study was therefore conducted to evaluate micronutrient statusoflime and sapota orchard by analysing soil and plant samples. Soil samples were collected from surface (0-15cm) and sub-surface (15-30cm) depth representing whole orchard. At the same time, plant samples including 35-40 each for leaves and petiole samples each from lime and sapota field was also collected. Available micronutrients from soil samples were extracted using diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid (DTPA) and it was in the order of manganese (Mn)> iron (Fe)> zinc (Zn)> copper (Cu) in both lime and sapota plantations. DTPA- extractable Zn and Cu showed low status, marginal status of Fe and sufficient level of Mn in soils of sapota plantations. In plant analysis, high concentration of Cu (869 mg kg-1) and Zn (411mg kg-1) was observed in lime leaves; however, in sapota crop Cu and Zn content was 8.25mg kg-1 and 16.7mg kg- 1 respectively. Similarly, Fe and Mn content of lime leaves was 197 and 43 mg kg-1 which was slightly higher than sapota leaves that recorded 128 and 49mg kg-1 of Fe and Zn respectively. In sapota plants, higher Mn and Cu concentration in leaf resulted in Zn deficiency symptoms such as shortened internodes or rosette disorders of sapota plants. Thus, correcting micronutrient deficiency is pre-requisite for qualitative and quantitative fruit production in tablelands of India.

Ability of sulfur-oxidising bacteria to hasten degradation of ground rubber particles in soil for release of zinc as a fertiliser to correct deficiency in wheat

Previous research has shown that ground rubber from tyres can be used to supply fertiliser zinc (Zn) for prevention of Zn-deficiency in crops, and that inoculation of the ground rubber with several bacterial species hastens the release of Zn to the soil. We evaluated the ability of several microbial combinations to speed the release of Zn from ground rubber and to decrease soil pH to favour phytoavailability of Zn to crops. In a batch experiment, treatment combinations of two rates of ground crumb rubber (nil or 300mg kg–1, equal to 0 or 3.4mg Zn kg–1) and 24 bacterial inoculants were incorporated into a Zn-deficient calcareous soil. In a pot experiment, two wheat cultivars were grown on the soil without or with ground rubber amendment or with equivalent Zn from ZnSO4 (15mg kg–1) in combination with two selected microbial treatments. All microbial treatments significantly decreased soil pH at week 3, most notably the inoculant comprising Rhodococcus erythropolis and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (RA)+Pseudomonas putida P41 (P1)+mixed Thiobacillus spp. (Mt). In the presence of tyre rubber, soil pH at week 10 was still significantly lower than the initial value, and soil DTPA-extractable Zn concentration increased until week 6 and then remained unchanged or slightly reduced at week 10. The greatest increase in DTPA-Zn concentration occurred with the RA inoculation. Microbial inoculation treatments were classified by cluster analysis into eight groups based on soil pH and concentrations of iron (Fe) and Zn. Group 8 produced the lowest pH and highest concentrations of DTPA-Fe ( average 6.92mg kg–1) and DTPA-Zn (average 2.67mg kg–1). Inoculations with RA and with RA+P1+T. thioparus were the most effective in hastening an increase in DTPA-extractable Zn and significantly enhanced Zn uptake by wheat plants, whereas inoculations with P. putida P168 and with RA+P2+Mt were most effective in decreasing soil pH and increasing plant Fe concentration.

Assessment and Distribution of Macro and Micro Nutrients in Different Soil Series of District Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

In order to investigate the soil fertility status of Swabi district the present research was carried out. A total of 32 soil samples were collected from 16 different locations surrounding Swabi area at 0-20cm and 20-40cm depths and analyzed for different chemical properties and fertility status in the laboratory of soil and environmental Sciences University of Agriculture Peshawar. Results revealed that soil of Swabi was moderately to strongly calcareous in nature and alkaline in reaction. The O.M content was found deficient to marginal, being deficient in 75% and marginal in 25% samples at both soil depths. AB-DTPA Extractable phosphorous was found sufficient (40%) at surface soil while at sub surface it was found 15% deficient. No potassium deficiency was observed at surface as well as at sub surface soil, being sufficient in 37 % samples at surface soil and 43 % samples at sub surface soil. AB-DTPA extractable Cu was found adequate in almost all soil samples, Fe was found sufficient in 78% soil samples and medium in 9% samples and was found low in 12% soil samples at both soil depths. AB-DTPA Extractable Zn was found 12% deficient, 6% medium and 31% adequate at all surface soil samples while at sub surface it was found 19% deficient, 22% medium and 12% adequate. Proper fertilization and application of FYM and green manure is highly recommended for the areas low in Organic matter and respective nutrients.

Effect of zinc enriched farm yard manures on yield of mung bean and Physico-Chemical Properties of soil

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zinc enriched Farm Yard Manures (FYM) on zinc deficient loamy sand soil and yield of mungbean[Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek.]. Treatments consisted of 15 combinations of three levels of FYM i.e. F0 (no FYM), F1 (FYM @ 5 t ha-1) and F2 (FYM @ 10 t ha-1) and five treatments of enrichment i.e. Zn enrichment (EnZn1, EnZn2, and EnZn3) at three levels of Zn (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 kg Zn ha-1) @ 500 kg ha-1 FYM and without enrichment (Zn0 and Zn1) at two levels of Zn (inorganic salts) i.e. 0 kg and 5 kg Zn ha-1, replicated thrice in factorial randomized block design (FRBD)during 2012. The enrichment process was started 50 days before their use in kharif season experiment on mung bean.The average improvement in seed yield of mungbean was 1179 kg ha-1. Zinc-enriched FYM and their straight application produced (10983kgha-1) 31.86 and 22.83% higher grain yield, respectively, relative to control Zn0 (8959kg ha-1).The yield was increased due to enrichment and it was achieved by 9.04 % over straight application of zinc. Zn uptake was recorded significantly higher under the EnZn2 (143.96 g ha-1) which was at par with EnZn3 (148.23 g ha-1) followed by EnZn1 (118.50 g ha-1) all these values are significantly higher than Zn0 (92.02 g ha-1).The average improvement in total uptake of Zn by mungbean was 48.71%higher due to zinc enriched FYM than the straight application of zinc. The application of zinc enriched FYM significantly increased available N, organic carbon andDTPA-extractable Zn with increasing the level of enrichment.The application of zinc enriched FYM had non-significant effect on bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity and moisture retention at 1/3 and 15 bar and CEC than control.Application of 2.5 kg Zn ha-1which wascomparable to enriched with FYM,in terms of higher seed yield of mungbean.