Micronutrients distribution in salt-affected soils of the Punjab in relation to soil properties

Abstract

Salt-affected soils in arid and semi-arid tracts of the Indian Punjab are prone to deficiency of micronutrients. Nine profiles from alluvial terraces, sand dunes and palaeochannels in the southwestern Punjab were investigated for total and diethylenetriamine-penta-acetic acid (DTPA) extractable Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe. Soil physiography exerted significant influence on the spatial distribution of micronutrients. Total contents varied from 20–78 for Zn, 8–32 for Cu, and 88–466 mg kg⁻¹ for Mn and 0.82–2.53% for Fe. DTPA-extractable contents varied from 0.10–0.98 for Zn, 0.14–1.02 for Cu, 0.54–13.02 for Fe and 0.82–9.4 mg kg⁻¹ for Mn. Total contents were higher in fine-textured soil than in coarse-textured soils. Concentration of micronutrients in the surface layer was low and there occurred more accumulation in the Cambic horizon. Organic carbon, pH, clay, silt and calcium carbonate exerted strong influence on the distribution of micronutrients. DTPA extractable Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe increased with increasing organic carbon but decreased with increase in pH and calcium carbonate content. Total micronutrient contents increased with increase in clay, silt and calcium carbonate contents and decreased with increase in sand content.

Keywords:

• total and available micronutrient
• micronutrient distribution
• salt-affected soils
• soil characteristics

Acknowledgements

The work was funded by the National Agricultural Technology Programme of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi 110 001, India.