Macronutrient and Micronutrients Status in Relation to Soil Characteristics in South- East Coast Plain-riverine Soils of India

Hundred surface soil samples representing eighteen villages of the recently tsunami affected areas of Sirkali taluk of Tamilnadu in India were analyzed for the distribution of basic soil parameters viz., pH, EC, OC and OM and macronutrients viz., N, P, K by using standard methods. The available micronutrients (DTPA extractable) viz., Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn were investigated by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (ECIL, AAS-4129). The macro and micronutrient status and their relationship with soil properties were also studied. The result showed that the available macronutrients N, P, K was 85% low and 15% medium for N, 100% low for P and 85% medium and 15% high K respectively. Regarding the micronutrients, Fe was found to be deficient by 26% and sufficient by 74%, Mn was found to be sufficient by 100%, Cu was found to be deficient by 9% and sufficient by 91%, Zn was found to be deficient by 3% and 82% in marginal and 15% sufficient respectively. Further, Fe showed positive correlation with pH, EC, OC and OM. Mn also followed the same trend as that of Fe with OC, EC and OM but negative with pH. Cu showed positive correlation with OC and OM but negative correlation with pH and EC and Zn as well.