Abstract:
Georeferenced surface soil samples representing three
major maize growing blocks viz. Umerkote, Raigarh and
Jharigaon of Nabarangpur district of Odisha were
collected from 154 sites using global positioning system
(GPS). The soils are strongly to moderately acidic in soil
reaction. The soil samples were analyzed for
micronutrients viz. Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and B and a secondary
nutrient i.e. S. The DTPA - Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn in soils
varied from 0.06 to 7.8 mg kg-1, 0.07 - 2.4 mg kg-1, 10.7 -
266.7 mg kg-1 and 5.9 - 155.3 mg kg-1, respectively. The
hot water extractable B and 0.15% CaCl2 extractable S in
soils ranged from 0.045 - 20.53 mg kg-1 and 0.39 - 22.3
mg kg-1, respectively. The availability of Fe and Mn are
sufficient enough to sustain crop productivity barring few
soil samples are in toxic level. Cu deficiency (3.8%)
although not so acute but requires due attention. The
deficiency of B (33%) and S (94%) besides acidity are
emerging as the major constraints of productivity in soils
of Nabrangapur district.
