Crop Production Constraints Related to Secondary and Micro Nutrients in the soils of Jajpur District, Odisha

Abstract

Surface and sub-surface status of secondary and micronutrients help in knowing their status and preparing judicious agricultural plan. GPS based 300 surface soil samples from 10 blocks and horizon-wise soil samples from 3 pedons occurring in three physiographic units of Jajpur district were collected and analyzed. The colour of soils of pedon varied from brownish yellow to red. The clay content ranged from 21.8% to 38.8% and increased with depth. The soil pH, exchangeable and DTPA- Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn and Zn were increased with depth while OC, S, Cu and B decrease with depth. The surface soil of (92.33% soil samples) had acidic pH, non-saline (0.02-0.89 dS m-1) and 28.66% soils low in SOC. The exchangeable Ca and Mg were sufficient barring 6 % soils being deficient in Mg. The available S varied from 1.13 to 114.98 mg kg-1 with 40% soil samples showed its deficiency. The available DTPA-Fe, Mn, and Cu were above the critical limit ranging from 11.68 to 396.8, 4.96 to 271.74, 0.39 to7.54 mg kg-1 respectively. Deficiency of Zn and B were found 26.6% and 73.3% soil samples respectively. The multi nutrients deficiency were observed in order of S+Zn, S+B, B+Zn, B+Zn+S in 10.3, 32, 26, 8% soil samples respectively. Plant tissue analysis showed that PSD with respect to S, B, Zn, Mn and Cu were 25.7%, 51.4%, 17.14%, 5.7% and 5.75 respectively. Apart from acidity, S, B and Zn were soil constraints in achieving the higher production. Toxic level of Fe was present in high land zone. Application of S and B for vegetable, pulse and oilseed crops whereas Zn for rice may be recommended along with lime to increase production and productivity of agricultural crops of Jajpur district.