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Full Length Research Paper

Soil macro- and micro- nutrient status of Senapati

district, Manipur (India)
Haribhushan Athokpam1, Shabir Hussain Wani1,4*, David Kamei1, Herojit Singh Athokpam2,
Jyotsna Nongmaithem1, Deepak Kumar1, Yanglem Kenedy Singh1, Brajendra Singh Naorem2,
Thokchom Renuka Devi2 and Lamalakshmi Devi3
1
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Farm Science Centre), Senapati District, P.O. Kangpokpi, Manipur - 795129, India.
2
College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Iroisemba, Imphal, Manipur, 795004, India.
3
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263145, Uttaranchal, India.
4
Division of Plant Breeding and Genetics, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190025, India.
Accepted 10 May, 2013

A study of the macro- and micro-nutrients of some soils of Senapati district, Manipur (India) was carried
out to study the soil fertility and micro- nutrient status and their relationship with each other. Surface
soil (0 to 30 cm) was investigated for diethylene-triaminepentaacetate (DTPA)- extractable Zn, Cu, Mn,
Fe and hot water extractable B in relation to some chemical properties in 20 representative soils. The
mean values for DTPA-extractable Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe and hot water extractable B were 2.36, 1.52, 113.93,
766.03 and 0.10 mg kg-1, respectively. The mean values of available N, P2O, K2O and SO4-S were 382.04,
-1
38.31, 208.86 and 22.65 kg ha , respectively. Distribution of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe and B were influenced
positively by pH, EC and organic carbon content of the soil. Results indicated that the micro- nutrient
cations were significantly correlated with each other suggesting about the dynamic equilibrium among
them. All the soil samples were sufficient in available micro- nutrient cations in Senapati district.

Key words: Diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid, zinc, copper, manganese, iron and boron.

INTRODUCTION

Soil fertility is one of the important factors controlling the and lipids, stress tolerance, etc. (Singh, 2004,Rengel,
crop yield. Soil related limitations affecting the crop 2007 and Gao et al., 2008). Original geologic substrate
productivity including nutritional disorders can be and subsequent geochemical and pedogenic regimes
determined by evaluating the fertility status of the soils. determine the total amounts of micro- nutrients in soils.
Soil testing provides the information about the nutrient However, total amount is rarely indicative of the availability
availability of the soil upon which the fertilizer by plant, because availability depends on soil pH, organic
recommendation for maximizing crop yield is made. Zinc matter content, adsorptive surfaces and other physical,
(Zn), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe) and Boron chemical and biological conditions in the rhizosphere.
(B) are essential micro- nutrients for plant growth. Micro- nutrient availability to plants can be determined in
Through their involvement in various enzymes and other direct uptake experiments or estimated with techniques
physiologically active molecules, these micro-nutrients that correlate the quantities of micro-nutrients extracted
are important for gene expression, biosynthesis of chemically from the soils (Kabata-Pendias, 2001). Micro-
proteins, nucleic acids, growth substances, chlorophyll nutrient cycling is quite different among various terrestrial
and secondary metabolites, metabolism of carbohydrates ecosystems (Han et al., 2007). India is the second largest

12 , +')+0 &* - 3 (&) ,-& ) -.&+)4,5*&, 5&,-() & )+ 6

 Athokpam et al. 4933

consumer of mineral fertilizers in the world after China, ranges from 800 to 4000 m above MSL. Senapati district has
consuming about 26.5 million tons (Jaga and Patel, alluvium, lateritic black regur and red ferruginous type of soil
(Anonymous, 2009). 10 representative soil samples (0 to 30cm)
2012). The application of mineral fertilizers is the most were collected from 20 villages of the district. Soil samples were
advantageous and the fastest way to increase crop yields collected with wooden tools to avoid any contamination of the soils.
and their deficiency leads to various types of disorders in 6 spots were dug for each composite sample. All the composite soil
many commercially important crops (Duarah et al., 2011). samples were air-dried, ground and passed through 2 mm sieve for
Stunted growth is a symptom for many deficiencies, chemical analysis. All the samples were stored in the polythene
especially stunted stems with nitrogen deficiency and bags for further analysis. Soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC)
were determined by potentiometery and direct reading conductivity
stunted roots in phosphorus deficiency. Chlorosis, that is, meter using 1: 2.5 soil water suspensions (Jackson, 1973). The
decreased chlorophyll synthesis or increased chlorophyll composite soil samples were analyzed for available nitrogen
degradation, is observed with magnesium, nitrogen, and (Subbiah and Asija, 1956), available P2O5 (Bray and Kurtz, 1945),
iron deficiencies. Magnesium is the central atom for the neutral ammonium acetate extractable K2O (Jackson, 1973),
electron cloud of chlorophyll from which electrons flow organic carbon (Walkley and Black, 1934), and available SO4-S
(Chesnin and Yien, 1951). The available Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe
through the light reactions. Necrosis, dead spots or
extracted with DTPA (Lindsay and Norvell, 1978) was determined
zones, is observed when magnesium, potassium or on an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The hot water soluble
manganese deficiencies are present. Color changes such B was estimated bb UV-VIS Spectrophotometer (Wear, 1965). The
as excessive anthocyanin production is observed in relationship between various soil properties and micro-nutrients
stems with phosphorus deficiency. They generally pick up distribution were established by using simple correlation coefficient.
an intense purple color sometimes extending onto the
leaves (Koning, 1994).
Rice is the major staple food crop of the state and RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
occupying almost 90% of the total cultivable area during
the summer (kharif) season. The recommended dose of Two hundred surface soils (0 to 30 cm) of Senapati
minerals for its maximum production is 60 : 40 : 30 Kg of district, Manipur (India) were investigated. The results of
N, P2O5, and K2O ha-1. Application of major nutrients soil pH, EC, organic carbon (OC), available N, P2O5, K2O,
(nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) became common; SO4-S and DTPA- extractable Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe and hot
therefore, the crops started responding to micronutrient water extractable B are presented in Table 1. Result
fertilizers. Concerted efforts have been made through the shows that pH of the soils ranged from 5.08 to 6.97
-1
All India Coordinated Research Project on Micronutrients (mean 5.93), EC varied from 0.02 to 0.22 dSm (mean
-1
to delineate the soils of India regarding the deficiency of 0.07 dSm ) and organic carbon content ranged from 6.0
micronutrients. At present about 48.1% of Indian soils are to 25.2 g kg-1 with a mean value of 14.74 g kg-1. The
deficient in diethylene-triaminepentaacetate (DTPA) available N, P2O5, K2O and SO4-S varied from 290.20 to
extractable zinc, 11.2% in iron, 7% in copper and 5.1% in 893.17 (mean 382.04), 24.62 to 64.37 (mean 38.31),
manganese. Apart from the deficiency of these 55.60 to 359.11 (mean 208.86) and 6.20 to 95.10 (mean
-1
micronutrients, deficiencies of boron and molybdenum 22.65) kg ha , respectively. The soils were strongly
have also been reported in some areas. Areas with multi- acidic to neutral in reaction. Acidic in reaction of the
micronutrient deficiencies are limited, thus simple district might be due to the high rainfall leading to the
fertilizers are sufficient to exploit the potential of crops leaching losses of bases from the surface soils.
and cropping systems (Gupta, 2005). Application of nitrogenous fertilizers and decomposition
Keeping in view the above importance of mineral of organic residues hastened the soil acidity. The wide
fertilizers for crop growth and yield, this study on the variation of EC of the soils might be due to the different
status of soil macro and micro nutrients was carried out concentration of basic cations in the soils. The high
with the following objectives (i) to assess the macro- organic carbon content in the soil is due the luxuriant
nutrients, that is, NH4+, H2PO4-, K+ and SO4= and micro- grasses growth along with the seasonal decomposition of
nutrients, that is, Zn+, Cu+, Mn++, Fe++ and B+++ vegetative parts and roots. Chemical properties of the
distribution on the surface soils and (ii) to explore the soils were positively and significantly correlated with each
relationships among micro- nutrients with other soil other except S which was significantly correlated with pH,
properties. EC and available P2O5.

MATERIALS AND METHODS Available micronutrients status and influence of soil

chemical characteristics
The present investigation was carried out to assess some macro
and micro-nutrient status of the soils of Senapati district, Manipur Nutrient removal per tonne of economic produce was of
(India). The geographical area of the district is 3271 sq. km with
14.56% of the total geographical area of the state. The average
the following order (Aulakh, 1985): groundnut -Fe 2 284
-1
temperature ranges from 4°C to 32°C and average annual rainfall g, Zn 109 g, Mn 93 g, and Cu 36 g ha , pigeonpea- Fe 1
varies from 671 to 1454 mm. It is located between 24° 30′N latitude 440 g, Zn 38 g, Mn 128 g and Cu 31 g; chickpea- Fe 1
and 93˚ 30′E longitude over the globe. The altitude of the district 302 g, Zn 57g, Mn 105 g and Cu 17 g. Nutrient removal
4934 Afr. J. Agric. Res.

Table 1. Some major chemical characteristics of the soils of Iron: Available Fe contents in the surface soils ranged
Senapati District. from 11.00 to 1045.00 mg kg-1 with a mean value of
766.03 mg kg-1 (Table 1). All the soils had significant
Soil characteristics Mean Range amount of Fe considering 4.5 mg kg-1 as critical limit as
pH 5.93 5.08 – 6.97 suggested by Lindsay and Norvell (1978). It showed
-1
EC (dSm ) 0.07 0.02 – 022 positive and significant correlations with pH (r =
Organic carbon (g kg-1) 14.74 6.0 – 25.2 0.8623**), OC (r = 0.8355**), available N (r = 0.8302**),
-1
Available N (kg ha ) 382.04 290.20 – 893.17 available P2O5 (r = 0.7812**), and also positive and
Available P2O5 (kg ha-1) 38.31 24.62 – 64.37 significant correlations with other micro- nutrient cations.
Available K2O (kg ha-1) 208.86 55.60 – 359.11 Similar results were also reported by Verma et al. (2005),
Available SO4-S (kg ha )
-1
22.65 6.20 – 95.10 Jiang et al. (2009) and Bassirani et al. (2011).
-1
Fe (mg kg ) 766.03 11.00 – 1045.00
Mn (mg kg )
-1
113.93 45.00 – 150.00 Manganese: Available Mn in the surface soils varied
-1
Cu (mg kg )
-1
1.52 0.65 – 2.60
from 45.00 to 150.00 mg kg with a mean value of
-1 -1
-1 113.93 mg kg . Considering 1.0 mg kg as critical limit
Zn (mg kg ) 2.36 1.30 – 4.90
-1 for Mn deficiency (Lindsay and Norvell, 1978), all the
B (mg kg ) 0.10 0.046 – 1.004
soils had sufficient amounts of available Mn. In simple
correlation coefficient studies (Table 2), available Mn
showed significant and positive correlation coefficients
with pH (r = 0.8938**), EC (r = 0.5166*), OC (r =
0.7882**), available N (r = 0.7994**), Available P2O5 (r =
0.8364**), and available K2O (r = 0.5402*). Available Mn
also had positive significant correlations with other micro-
nutrient cations content in the soils. Soil micro- nutrient
cations like Fe, Cu and Zn have significant correlation
with available Mn, suggesting variation in their distribution
dependent upon common soil factors (Follect and
Lindsay, 1970).

Copper: Available copper content in the surface soils

-1
ranged from 0.65 to 2.60 mg kg with a mean value of
1.52 mg kg . Considering 0.2 mg kg-1 as critical limit for
-1

Cu deficiency (Lindsay and Norvell, 1978), all the soils

were found to be in adequate range. The micro- nutrient
cation showed significant and positive correlation
coefficient with pH (r = 0.8220**), OC (r = 0.7422**),
available N (r = 0.7590**), available P2O5 (r = 0.7840**)
and available K2O (r = 0.5161*). This finding was in
conformity with that of Singh et al. (2006), Verma et al.
(2007), Jiang et al. (2009) and Bassirani et al. (2011).

Zinc: Available Zn in the studied surface soils varied from

-1 -1
1.30 to 4.90 mg kg with a mean value of 2.36 mg kg .
Similar finding was also reported by Raina et al. (2003) in
apple growing soils of Himachal Pradesh, India.
Considering 0.6 mg kg-1 as critical limit of available Zn as
suggested by Takkar and Mann (1975), the entire
representative soils were under sufficient categories.
Available Zn showed significant and positive correlation
coefficient with pH (r = 0.7500**), OC (r = 0.7075**),
Figure 1. Location map of Senapati district, Manipur. available N (r = 0.6897**), and available P2O5 (r =
0.6874*). This finding is in agreement with the earlier
findings of Venkatesh et al. (2003), Verma et al. (2005)
for major cereals in this region was as follows : maize- Fe and Sharma and Chaudhary (2007). It also showed
2 130 g, Zn 380 g, Mn 340 g, B 240 g, Cu 110 g, Mo 9 g positive and significant correlation with other micro-
and also 81 kg Cl (IFA, 1992); rice- Fe 150 g, Zn 40 g, nutrient cations. This result is also supported by the
Mn 675 g, Cu 18 g, B 15 g (Yoshida, 1981). finding of Bassirani et al. (2011). Amount of zinc required
 Athokpam et al. 4935

Table 2. Correlation amongst the different soil parameters under study.

EC OC Available N Available P Available K Available S Available Fe Mn Cu Zn B

pH 0.6445* 0.8528** 0.8536** 0.8832** 0.5884* 0.5955* 0.8623** 0.8938** 0.8220** 0.7500** 0.2830
EC 0.5444* 0.5430* 0.5974* 0.6678** 0.5330* 0.4519 0.5166* 0.4861 0.3873 0.1760
OC 0.9100** 0.7742** 0.5281* 0.4879 0.8355** 0.7882** 0.7422** 0.7075** 0.1982
Available N 0.7821** 0.5545* 0.4845 0.8302** 0.7994** 0.7590** 0.6897* 0.2088
Available P 0.6562* 0.6083* 0.7813** 0.8364** 0.7840** 0.6874* 0.2414
Available K 0.4683 0.4563 0.5402* 0.5161* 0.3995 0.2386
Available S 0.4860 0.4976 0.4784 0.4102 0.1820
Available Fe 0.8491** 0.7675** 0.7201** 0.2050
Mn 0.8260** 0.7594** 0.2657
Cu 0.7798** 0.3918
Zn 0.2689

for alleviating zinc deficiency varied with severity Organic matter and manure applications affect the nutrients with the high rainfall leading to the low
of deficiency, soil types, nature of crops and immediate and potential availability of micro- content of micro- nutrients in the soils even
cultivars. In majority of instances 5.5 kg zinc ha-1 nutrient cations (Rengel, 2007). The micro- though these micro- nutrients are most soluble
was found to be ideal dose. Zinc deficiency can nutrient cations react with certain organic and readily available under acidic condition.
-1
be best alleviated with the use of 11 kg Zn ha to molecules to form organometallic complexes as
-1
wheat, rice and maize; 5.5 kg Zn ha to soybean, chelates and soluble chelates can increase the
mustard, raya, sunflower and sugarcane and with availability of the micro- nutrient and protect it ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
2.5kg Zn ha-1 to groundnut, ragi, gram, linseed, from precipitation reactions. These chelates may
green gram, lentil etc. be synthesized by the plant roots and released to The authors are highly thankful to CRIDA (ICAR),
the surrounding soil. The chelate may also be Hyderabad, India and Zonal Project Directorate,
Boron: Hot water soluble B content in the surface present in the soil humus or may be synthetic Zone III, Barapani, Meghalaya, India and FEEDS
soils ranged from 0.046 to 1.004 mg kg-1 with a compound added to the soil to enhance micro- (host institute of KVK) for their financial support.
mean value of 1.00 mg kg-1. The range of nutrient availability (Brady and Weil, 2002). In this
available B in soils of different states of India study, soil organic matter related to chemical
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