Abstract
The availability of zinc (Zn) in soils is influenced by pH, organic matter content, clay particles and sesquioxides. We conducted laboratory incubation experiments on a rice-growing soil (Alfisol) to determine the effect of sesquioxide on zinc availability under different moisture regimes. Three different graded doses of zinc (0, 5 and 10 mg Zn/kg) were applied to soil containing sesquioxide and without sesquioxide under saturated and waterlogged conditions. The extractable zinc under 0.1 N HCl and 0.005 M DTPA was highest in the soil without sesquioxide and followed the order as: 0.1 N HCl-extractable Zn > 0.005 M DTPA. During the 35 days of incubation, highest values of 0.1 N HCl-extractable Zn and 0.005 M DTPA-extractable Zn were recorded in soil maintained at saturated compared with waterlogged conditions. The zinc availability in soil was reduced by 53 and 20% in sesquioxide-free soil and sesquioxide-containing soil, respectively, irrespective of zinc extractants. Higher dose of applied Zn resulted in a greater reduction in the Zn availability and indicated for split application of Zn to enhance the Zn supplying power of soil to greater extent.
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