Division of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Delhi-12
Manganese is intimately connected with and influenced by the soil forming processes dominant in the development of catenary soils in Chhatishgarh basin of Madhya Pradesh. Toposequence observed in the formation of these soils is also reflected in the manganese status of the soils. Manganese is mobile in the much drained soil of upper slope members, showing accumulation whereas in the lower slope, it is immobile, showing uniform distribution throughout the depth of profile. The active manganese therefore increases down the slope. Manganese released from the parent material during weathering constitutes only a part of the clay fraction but a major portion of it remains in the non-clay portion of the soil. Approximately 50 per cent of manganese in clay fraction remains in free state.
