Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate available micronutrient (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn and B) status and their relationship with soil properties. To study this, there were seventy surface soil (0-30 cm depth) and plant samples, each collected from wheat growing fields of Jhunjhunu tehsil. The soils were analyzed for physico-chemical properties and status of available micronutrients. Grain and straw samples of wheat plant separately analyzed for micronutrient contents. The sand, silt and clay content of the soil ranges from 76.70 to 90.40, 1.30 to 7.50 and 5.20 to 12.90 per cent, respectively and these soils categorized as sandy, loamy sand and sandy loam. The soils were moderately calcareous in nature and having CaCO₃ content ranges from 3.90 to 12.00 per cent. The analyzed samples showing lower in organic carbon and CEC and their ranges from 0.06 to 0.43 per cent and 2.40 to 10.40 cmol (p⁺) kg^-1, respectively. The pH (8.10 to 9.20) and EC (0.20 to 2.14 dSm^-1) values indicated that soils were found to be moderately alkaline and non-saline in nature. The 90 per cent of analyzed soil samples were found to be deficient in iron and 70 per cent deficient in zinc and their values ranges from 1.22 to 5.87 and 0.12 to 1.30 mg kg^-1, respectively. While the remaining micronutrients (Cu, Mn and B) shown to be sufficient and their values ranges between 0.17 to 3.32, 2.03 to 5.67 and 0.37 to 1.51 mg kg^-1, respectively. The availability of micronutrients indicating positive and significantly correlated with silt, clay, organic carbon and CEC of soils, whereas, negative and significantly correlated with sand, calcium carbonate and pH of the soils. The availability of micronutrients in wheat grains and straw positively correlated with silt, clay, organic carbon and CEC and negatively correlated with sand, CaCO₃ and pH of soils.

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