Abstract:
The present study was undertaken to assess the
vertical distribution of DTPA-extractable micronutrients viz.
zinc, copper, iron and manganese in relation to soil properties
in five selected soil profiles, one each from Sainthia, Suri II,
Rampurhat II, Md Bazar and Nalhati I block of Birbhum district
of West Bengal. Collected soil samples were analysed for pH,
electrical conductivity, organic carbon, textural class (% sand,
silt, clay) and DTPA- extractable micronutrients using standard
analytical methods. The soil texture varied from silt loam to
silt. Based on the fertility ratings, pH of the profile soils was
strongly acidic to neutral, showing increasing trend with
depth. Its value ranged from 5.012- 7.121. Electrical
conductivity was found in normal range. Low to medium
organic carbon content was found and its distribution was
found decreasing with increasing depth. Iron, manganese and
copper were estimated to occur above critical level, whereas
low to medium available zinc was found. The available zinc,
iron, manganese and copper contents in soils ranged from
0.264 - 1.618 mg/kg, 5.158- 51.820 mg/kg, 1.788- 20.720 mg/
kg and 0.324- 3.364 mg/kg respectively. In general, all the
micronutrients show decreasing trend with increase in depth.
The pH of the collected soil samples showed significant and
negative correlation with available iron (r= -0.603*) and
manganese (r= -0.524*) whereas pH correlated non significantly and negatively with available zinc (r= -0.343) and
copper (r= -0.484). Soil organic carbon showed significant and
positive correlation with all the micronutrients. Non-significant
and negative correlation was found between electrical
conductivity and available micronutrients except available iron
which showed significant and negative correlation with
electrical conductivity (r= -0.560*)
