Micronutrient Status of Soil in Barshitakli Tahsil of Akola District

Author: Akanksha D. Chiliwant, Alpana Kumhare, Yagini Tekam, Kailash Kumar, Neetu Kokode and Mrunal R. Gedam

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Abstract

The investigation in relation to the “Micronutrient status of soil in Barshitakli tahsil of Akola district” was undertaken during 2020–21. Through this investigation, observations were taken of the soil's physico-chemical properties and the major and micronutrient status of surface soils. Sustainable food production and the health of the soil are dependent on micronutrients. The soils under study were slightly to moderately alkaline in reaction, and the EC values for these soils were within the safe limit. The organic carbon content in these soils showed a medium to moderately high status. The free CaCO3 content of these soils ranged from moderately to high calcareous in nature. Barshitakli tahsil soils had a range of micronutrient cation contents; available Zn content was between 0.17 and 0.69 mg kg-1, and available Fe content was between 1.1 and 3.75 mg kg-1, Mn content varies from 0.97 to 4.93 mg kg-1, Cu content varied from 0.25 to 3.12 mg kg-1. Results show that these soils are well supplied with Mn and Cu and low to marginal in Zn and Fe. The correlation study reveals that the availability of major nutrients and micronutrients decreases with an increase in pH. The increase in organic carbon leads to an increase in Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu. The soil fertility index worked out for major and micronutrients and showed that, as per the six-tier system, iron (Fe) comes under the very low category, zinc comes under the low category, manganese comes under the moderate category, and Cu comes under the very high category. The rapid depletion of available micronutrients from the soil has been exacerbated by the current intense cropping of high-yielding varieties (HYV) with the application of micronutrient-free, high-responsive fertilisers to increase food grain production. Each crop must be designed with a specialized fertilizer formulation technology for optimal production and productivity under certain agro-ecological conditions. Satisfying the increasing population nowadays requires appropriate policies to create apprehension amongst the farming community for determining micronutrient deficiency precisely and maintaining balanced fertilization, which is especially required to maintain the health of the soil along with crop sustainability.

Keywords

Calcareous, Micronutrient, Organic carbon, Soil fertility, Sustainability

Conclusion

It can be concluded from the above results that the soils in Barshitakli tahsil in the Akola district of Maharashtra were slightly to moderately alkaline in soil reaction (pH) and soluble salt content (EC) came under the safe range. The soils were moderately to highly calcareous, and the organic carbon level was medium to very high. The available N and P in the soils were low to medium, the available S was low to high, and the available K was medium to high. While Mn and Cu were sufficient, the majority of the soil samples required Zn and Fe. The available N, P, and S as well as the micronutrients Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu exhibit negative correlations with soil pH and EC. Organic carbon and available N, K, and S as well as the micronutrients, showed a positive and significant association.

References

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How to cite this article

Akanksha D. Chiliwant, Alpana Kumhare, Yagini Tekam, Kailash Kumar, Neetu Kokode and Mrunal R. Gedam (2023). Micronutrient Status of Soil in Barshitakli Tahsil of Akola District. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 1402-1406.