Abstract
Laboratory studies were made on the effect of organic matter (sucrose, a readily available source of energy) on the availability of zinc in different soils. About 70–80% water soluble Zn added to soil was converted to water insoluble forms even in absence of sucrose treatment. Otherwise the effect of sucrose on zinc availability (EDTA-and water extractable) appeared to be related to the physico-chemical characteristics of the soils in question and to the changes in soil reaction associated with the length of incubation period. Sucrose additions (2% of air-dry soil weight basis) decreased the availability of both native and applied zinc soils with relatively high initial pH (invariably more than 5.6), exchange capacity, exchangeable Ca and Mg and with relatively high silt+clay (finer fraction) contents. When soil pH decreased below 5.0, particularly in sandy soils, Zn availability was increased.
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