Widespread Deficiencies of Sulfur, Boron, and Zinc in Indian Semi-Arid Tropical Soils: On-Farm Crop Responses

Fixed ammonium and carbon-nitrogen ratios of some semi-arid tropical Indian soils

Relatively little is known about the fixed NH4-N status of soils in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) but information is needed in view of its role in N cycling and the N economy of the soils. The distribution of fixed NI-L-N and C/N ratios of soil profiles from two benchmark Vertisols and one Alfisol in the Indian SAT were studied. From 15.9 to 58.6% of the total soil N was present as fixed NHa-N in...

Zinc, boron and sulphur deficiencies are holding back the potential of rainfed crops in semi-arid India: Experiences from participatory watershed management

Little attention has been paid to the diagnosis of deficiencies of micronutrients such as zinc (Zn) and boron (B) and secondary nutrient such as sulphur (S) in rainfed systems. We evaluated Zn, B and S status of 1617 farmers’ fields in 14 districts of the semi-arid tropical India. Results showed that most of the soil samples were low to medium in organic carbon contents. Results also revealed t...

Soils of Arid and Semi-arid Areas

Conceptual and numerical models of the evolution of pedogenic carbonates in soils of arid and semi-arid regions: A review

Introduction Calcareous soils are widely distributed in arid and semi-arid regions of the world and the presence of carbonates in the soils affects both physicochemical properties and the pedogenic evolution. In addition, soil carbon plays a critical role in the global carbon cycle, and pedogenic carbonates are an important sink for atmospheric carbon. Pedogenic carbonates are also the proxy o...

Potassium reserves in soils with arid and semi-arid climate in southern Iran: a perspective based on potassium fixation

ABSTRACT- The present research was conducted to study K forms and fixation in soils of southern Iran (Hormozgan Province) with aridic and aridic-ustic regimes and to address the relations between soil mineralogy and potassium forms. Thirteen surface soil samples (0-25 cm) were collected from different regions and analyzed in laboratory. Illite and feldspar and mica are the major clay and soil m...