Micronutrient status of crops in selected areas is Egypt

Abstract

Reclamation of sandy and calcareous desert lands in. Egypt for intensive cropping has considerable effect on the fertilizer requirement for most crops. The yield records, together with frequent visual appearances of micronutrient deficiency symptoms on economically important crops were the main reasons for investigating the status of micronutrients in these areas by means of leaf and soil analyses. Sites were selected to represent sandy and calcareous soils in newly reclaimed areas as well as loamy alluvial ones in the Nile‐Valley and Delta. Over 10000 soil and leaf samples were collectes in the last 5 years to evaluate the soil/plant fertility status within the area. The major deficiencies were found to be of Fe Mn and Zn revealed in both soil and plant analyses. Regarding soil type effects, Fe‐deficiency dominated on calcareous soil, Zn‐deficit on the sandy soils and Mn‐deficiency mostly on alluvial soils. Leguminous crops were most sensitive to Fe‐deflciency whereas cereals; especially maize and rice were most sensitive to Zn‐deficiency. It is problem that using Zn, Mn, Fe fertilizer will become a common practice in Egypt for different crops in the near future.

In some west‐Delta calcareous areas, high B was found in both soils and plants. Also, Cu accumulation accurred due to the heavy use of Cu‐fungicides which may eventually become a major pollution problem.

Key words:

• Soil testing
• Leaf analysis
• Micronutrients