Abstract
The deficiencies of nutrient elements and inappropriate nutrient management practices in agricultural soils of the world is one of the reasons for low crop productivity, reduced nutritional quality of agricultural produce, and animal/human malnutrition. We carried out the present study to evaluate the single and multi-nutrient deficiencies of sulfur (S) and micronutrients (zinc (Zn), boron (B), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn)) in agricultural soils of India for their effective management to achieve sustainable crop production, improved nutritional quality in crops and better animal/human health. Altogether, 24,2827 surface soil samples (0 to 15 cm depth) were collected from the agriculture fields of 615 districts in 28 states of India and were analyzed for available S and micronutrient concentration. The concentration of available S and micronutrients varied widely. There were variable and widespread deficiencies of S and micronutrients in different states. The deficiencies of S, Zn and B were higher compared to the deficiencies of Fe, Cu and Mn. There were occurrences of two-nutrient (namely S + Zn, Zn + B, S + B, Zn + Fe Zn + Mn, S + Fe, Zn + Cu and Fe + B), three-nutrient (namely S + Zn + B, S + Zn + B and Zn + Fe + B) and four-nutrient (namely Zn + Fe + Cu + Mn and Zn + Fe + Cu + Mn + B) deficiencies in different extents. This information could be used by various stakeholders for production, supply and application of the right kind of fertilizers in different districts, states and agro-ecological regions of India for better crop production, crop nutritional quality, nutrient use efficiency and soil and environmental health. This will also help in a greater way to address the issue of malnutrition in human/animals.
Highlights
IntroductionPlants absorb the desired nutrients from soil in different proportions as per requirements [3,4]
Soils are the prime sources of nutrients for plant growth and development [1,2]
The coefficient of variation (CV) values of available nutrients varied from 111% to 338%
Summary
Plants absorb the desired nutrients from soil in different proportions as per requirements [3,4]. Phytomicrobiome (microbial community associated with plant) play a pivotal role in enhancing nutrient availability and crop yield [5,6]. Soil is linked to the well-being of animals and humans through agriculture and agricultural produces [7]. Macronutrients are required in higher quantities by the plants whereas micronutrients (otherwise called as trace elements) are needed in smaller quantities but both the categories of nutrients play important roles in plant metabolism. The deficiency of phyto-available (hereafter referred as available) nutrients in soils adversely affect soil health, crop production, nutritional quality of agricultural produces and in turn, human/animal health [8,9]
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