Vertical Distribution of Zn, Mn,Cu and Fe in the Semi-Arid Soils of Haryana and their Relationships with Soil Properties

A study on the vertical distribution of Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe in relation to depth and important soil properties in ten representative soil profiles of southern semi-arid soils of Haryana did not show regular trend in distribution of DTPA extractable Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe in relation to depth in profiles due to alluvial nature of soils and their weak pedogenic manifestation. Distribution of Mn and Fe was influenced inversely by pH and CaCO₃ content. Clay and CEC controlled dominantly the availability of soil Cu. Multiple regression equations show that 43, 53, 52 and 20 per cent variations in available Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe. respectively were accounted/or by the combined effect of ali-the soil properties. However, no single soil property showed significant contribution in the distribution of all the four micronutrient cations.