Abstract

Profile distribution was investigated for DTPA-extractable Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe in relation to depth and important soil characteristics in ten representative soil profiles of Hissar. There was specific pattern of distribution of available Cu, Mn and Fe due to alluvial nature of soils. A decreasing trend for available Zn with increasing depth was observed. Mean values for available Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe were 27, 81, 4.38 and 2.98 ppm, respectively. Distribution of Mn was influenced inversely by soil pH,  electrical conductivity (EC), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and CaCO₃ content. Distribution of Fe and Cu also were influenced inversely by ESP. Distribution of Cu was influenced inversely by CaCO₃. Organic carbon content controlled dominantly of all the four micro nutrients. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) content controlled dominantly only the available Cu. Four multiple regression models to predict the available micro nutrients (Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe) of a soil from organic carbon and CEC are also presented. The amount of correlation was 46, 53, 42 and 41 in respect to Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe respectively. All the soil samples were deficient in available Zn, medium in Cu and low to medium in Mn and Fe.

Key words: Diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, cation exchange capacity.