Studies on the Changes in DTPA-extractable Micronutrients (Fe, Mn & Cu) in Soils following Incubation and Plant Uptake

Department of Agricultural Chemistry & Soil Science, Bidhan Chandra. Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Kalyani, West Bengal Manuscript received 29 April1976, revised 241 November 1976, accepted 3 August 1977 The DTPA-extractable iron, manganese and copper status of three alluvial soils and their change in amount on equilibriation for a period of seven days at moisture-saturation and subsequently after growing soybean plants on those soils for a period of one month have been studied. The amount of iron, manganese and copper was increased in all the three soils after seven days of incubation front which it can be concluded that the mobilization of the micronutrients in soils was increased on incubation under moisture-saturated condition. After growing crop for a period of one month under similar conditions amount of the micronutrients again came down almost to the original levels. The apparent decrease in availability of those micronutrient elements is obviously due to plant uptake and partially due to microbial consumption and refixation in soil