Chemical and molecular scale speciation of copper, zinc, and boron in agricultural soils of the Canadian prairies

The general incidence of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) deficiencies in soils the Canadian prairies may be related to identifiable, highly variable, inherent soil attributes. objective this study was investigate variability selected properties their relationship with bioavailability, forms, distribution Cu, Zn, B a range prairie soils. nature these micronutrient distributions were evaluated by measuring extractable concentrations, supply rates, separation into various chemical pools through sequential extraction spectroscopic speciation analyses. Soil pH found least variable property [coefficient variation (CV) < 13%], whereas carbonate content most (CV > 130%). Cu availability showed strong negative correlation sand all Path coefficient results indicated that organic carbon had highest positive direct effect on Grey Extractable Zn positively correlated Brown Dark Overall, high low matter identified as important contributing deficiency B. major proportion recalcitrant residual fraction (59%–88%), smallest proportions labile soluble, exchangeable forms (2%–8%). X-ray absorption near edge structure revealed associated minerals dominant micronutrients present Chemisorption is likely process regulating bioavailability