Distribution of Available Micro-nutrients as Related to the Soil Characteristics of Older Alluvial Plain of Central Haryana

Abstract

Profile distribution was investigated for DTPA-extractable In, Cu, Mn and Fe in relation to depth and important soil characteristics in eight representativc soil profiles of older alluvial plain of central Haryana. Therc was no specific pattem of distribution of available Cu, Mn and Fe due to alluvial nature of soils; howcvcr, a decreasing trend for available In with increasing depth was observed. Mean values for available In, Cu, Mn and Fe were, 0.38, 0.92, 2.02 and 2.48 mg kg ^-1, respectively. Distribution of In and Mn was influenced inversely by soil pH and CaC0₃ content. Organic carbon content controlled dominantly tile available Cu and Mn. Multiple regression equations revealed 47, 35,47 and 45% variations in available In, Cu, Mn and Fe, respectively, were due to the combined effect of all tile soil characteristics. However, no single soil property influenced the distribution of all the four micro-nutrients. All the soil samples were deficient in available In, sufficient in Cu and low to medium in Mn and Fe status.