Altitudinal Distribution of Micronutrients in the Soils of Sikkim

Cultivated soils of five different altitude zones of Sikkim, viz, sub-alpine (>2700 m), temperate (2000 - 2700 m), mid-hill temperate (1500 - 2000 m), subtropical (500 - 1500 m) and tropical (300 - 500 m) zone were selectedfor the study. The total Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Band Mo content of the surface soils varied widely. About 94 and 85 per cent of the soils could be rated as deficient in available boron and molybdenum, respectively, Total micronutrients and DTPA extractable Cu and Mn and hot-water extractable B had a significant negative correlation with altitude whereas DTPA - Zn and Fe were positively correlated.