Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012.
*Corresponding author: E-mail: rkr@yahoo.com, rkr_rattan@yahoo.co.in
Surface samples of seventeen soils, widely varying in their physico-chemical properties, were analyzed for available zinc content using different extractants. Different fractions of zinc in these soils were sequentially extracted by different reagents. The contribution of these fractions to the available pool was estimated with help of path coefficient analysis. Water soluble, organic matteroccluded, specifically adsorbed and acid soluble fractions contributed directly to the available pool of zinc. Exchangeable zinc fraction did not contribute directly to any of the extractable forms of zinc. Residual fractions in many cases had negative or adverse influence on labile zinc pool
Chemical form, zinc fractions, path coefficients, labile pool
