Metal Nutrient Distribution and Availability in Vegetable Growing Soils of Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu

Knowledge about distribution and bio availability of micronutrients is critically needed for better production of agricultural products both quantitatively and qualitatively. The study intended to evaluate the micronutrient status, availability and its interaction with soil properties in the vegetable ecosystem. This study looks at the availability of micronutrient metal cation with their diversified soil properties. A total number of 25 surface soil samples were collected from major vegetable growing areas and basic soil parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, clay, cation exchange capacity, and free CaCO3 were examined. Micronutrients, both total and accessible, were also determined in soil. Zn and Fe deficiencies were found to a tune of 36 and 24 percent respectively in the overall soil samples, respectively. Deficiencies in Mn and Cu were found in extremely small quantities. Calcareous soils contribute to 40% of the soils analysed. Among the different soil properties, pH and CaCO3 showed a significant negative impact on micronutrient bioavailability whereas organic carbon and clay enhances the availability of micronutrients. The total micronutrient was not significantly correlated with the bioavailability of their respective nutrients.