Gulam Rasool Najar, Farida Akhter Najar, Shahid Ahmad Hakeem, Shiv Ram Singh and Javid Ahmad Wani
Abstract
Total and DTPA- extractable cations and their relationship with some important soil physico-chemical properties were investigated in eight different land use systems of Kupwara district in Kashmir during the year 2009-2010. The total Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe showed a wide variation under land use systems. The total micronutrient content was in the order Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu. Mean values of DTPA Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe in the surface soils varied from 0.54 2.4, 31.0 45.0, 19.6 37.4mg kg-1 and 18.1 36.2 mg/kg respectively. Mean values of DTPA Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe in the surface soils varied from .32 .88, .19 to .40, 11.6 28.6 mg kg-1 and 16.5 33.0 mg/kg respectively. The total Zn and Fe showed significant positive correlation with OC, clay and CEC of soils, whereas total Mn and Cu exhibited positive correlation with clay, CEC and OC respectively. All DTPA micronutrients exhibit significant negative correlation with pH and positive correlation with OC and CEC. A significant and positive correlation exhibited between clay and DTPA- Zn, Cu and Fe. DTPA- micronutrients was low in agricultural and forest soils on steep slops as compared to other land uses. Results indicated that Zn deficiency is major disorder in agricultural and forest soils on steep slops.