Assessment of Selected Soil Micronutrients Status in Kwara State University Teaching and Research Farm, Malete, Nigeria

Abstract

Field research was conducted to determine the availability and condition of soil micronutrients at the Teaching and Research Farm in Malete. The goal of the study is to assess the distribution and status of micronutrients and how they relate to a few key soil characteristics. A total of 173 soil samples were collected and compressed into 7 composite samples. Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Manganese (Mn) were the micronutrients determined in the laboratory using the Mehlich-III multi-nutrient extraction method. The particle size distribution (sand, silt, and clay), pH, and organic carbon of the soil were determined. The findings indicated that the soils of the teaching and research farm have a sandy loam texture, with sand concentrations of 80.64–82.64g/kg, silt at 6g/kg, and clay at 11.36–16.34g/kg. The results of the soil reaction revealed that the soils have minimal organic content (0.06-0.93g/kg) and are extremely acidic (5.1). The result of the soil micronutrients indicates that Fe content was high ((0.10-0.20mg/kg); copper was rated low (0.04-0.05 mg/kg); zinc was rated low (0.01-0.03 mg/kg) and manganese was also rated low (0.07-0.11mg/kg) respectively. The findings show that the key soil characteristics that affect the availability of micronutrients in the soil are sand particles, pH, and organic matter because of their substantial correlations. The highly substantial link between the investigated accessible micronutrients suggests that similar processes regulate both their availability and release to plants. Since the soils are suitable for the development of arable crops, additional applications of Fe-rich fertilizer won't be necessary, but a complementing supply of Fertilizers containing copper, zinc, and manganese is highly advised to improve the region's soil fertility.