MICRONUTRIENTS (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, B) AVAILABILITY STATUS IN THE SOILS OF SARGODHA DISTRICT, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Soil micronutrient deficiency is a major factor in achieving the optimal yields of the crops. To find a possible solution for this deficiency is surveying the micronutrient status of soils at a specific site. Thus current research focused on variability of soil properties and indicated the spatial pattern of soil micronutrients in Sargodha district, Punjab, Pakistan. 40000 soil samples were collected through Random soil sampling to assess soil micronutrient status at a depth of 0-15cm. . Soil samples were analysed to measure the soil Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn) by DTPA extraction method and quantified by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Hot-water soluble (HWS) Boron (B) was determined by spectrophotometer. In this study, properties of soil were investigated with the help of statistical and interpolation methods (Kriging). The available Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn and B ranged from 0.1 to 5 mg/kg, 0.2 to 10 mg/kg, 0.1 to 5 mg/kg, 0.2 to 10 mg/kg and 0.1 to 4.74 mg/kg, respectively, with mean value of 0.82 mg/kg, 4.9 mg/kg, 0.87 mg/kg, 4.04 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively, with standard deviation 0.35, 1.9, 0.383, 1.8, and 0.14, respectively. Regarding “Poor” class out of 40,000 analysed samples, 13% samples were deficient in Zn, 0% in Cu, 43% in Fe, 2% in Mn, and 41% in B. Regarding “Marginal” category 63% samples were at marginal deficient/adequate in Zn, 14% in Cu, 0% in Fe, 87% in Mn, and 59% in B. Regarding “Adequate” category, 24% samples were at adequate level in Zn, 86% in Cu, 57% in Fe, 11% in Mn, and 0% in B. The alarming situation was appeared for B which demands immediate mitigating steps to cover up the deficiency and should be incorporated essentially in fertilizer recommendation.