Studies on DTPA extractable Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn in sixtythree fish pond soils of Orissa in relation to soil characteristics were made. Among the four micronutrients, a positive and a negative correlation was observed between the available Fe and Mn content of the soils with organic carbon and pH, respectively while available Cu and Zn showed positive correlation with organic carbon. Available phosphorus content of the soil showed a negative correlation with available Mn but positively correlated with available Zn and Cu. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicates that the availability of Fe and Mn is dominantly controlled by pH, Cu by organic carbon and Zn by both organic carbon and available P2O5 content of the soils.
Freshwater fish pond soils, micronutrient cations, soil characteristics
