Availability of Cationic Micronutrients in Soils of Bankura District of West Bengal, India

The goal of the current investigation was to evaluate the state of DTPA-extractable cationic micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu) concerning some properties of soils of Bankura district, West Bengal. Ninety-nine soil samples in all (0-15 cm) were collected from 9 blocks (viz., Bankura II, Onda, Bisnupur, Barjora, Raipur, Sarenga, Bankura I, Gangajalghati, and Chatna) of the Bankura district of West Bengal. Using standard analytical techniques, these soil samples were examined for a variety of soil parameters, including DTPA-extractable Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), oxidizable organic carbon (OC) content, and particle size distribution. The research area's soil is characterized by sandy clay loam to sandy loam in texture, with few samples having loamy sand texture and strongly acidic to neutral in reaction. The EC was found to be very low (<1.0 dSm-1), indicating the safe limit for soils whereas the value of OC was low to medium. The status of DTPA-extractable Zn ranged between 0.45 to 3.47 mg kg-1 which was deficient to sufficient in category. The DTPA-extractable Fe, Mn, and Cu showed variation from 6.52 to 56.27, 4.73 to 26.81, and 0.51 to 5.29 mg kg-1, respectively which were in a higher range. Soil pH showed a substantial positive correlation with available Zn and Mn contents in soil but not with Cu and Fe. Organic carbon correlated significantly and positively with available Fe whereas non-significantly with available Zn and Mn.