Available Iron, Manganese, Zinc and Copper in Coastal Soils of Sundarbans, West Bengal in Relation to Soil Characteristics

Among the four micronutrient cations. available Zn was found to be deficient in some soils of Mathurapur and Kakdwip blocks of Sundarbans, West Bengal. Available Fe and Cu negatively correlated with pH, while available Fe, Cu and Zn positively correlated with soil salinity and organic carbon. Available P₂O₅ negatively correlated with available Zn and Cu but positively with available Mn. The multiple regression studies revealed that 26, 10.41 and 33% variations in available Fe, Mn. Zn and Cu respectively were accounted for the combined effect of pH. EC. organic carbon and available pzOs contents. Stepwise regression analysis indicates that the availability of Fe is dominantly controlled by pH; Mn and Zn by available P₂O₅ and copper by organic carbon content of these soils.