Assessment of Post-harvest Soil Nutrient Status as Influenced by Sulphate Salts of Zinc, Iron and Copper in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Micronutrients such as zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) play a vital role in plant metabolism and are essential for improving crop productivity and soil fertility. The present study explores the Post-Harvest Soil Nutrient Status as Influenced by Sulphate Salts of Zn, Fe and Cu in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A field experiment was conducted at SIF, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur for two consecutive rabi cropping seasons, 2022-23 and 2023-24 to study the influence of sulphate-based micronutrient fertilizers on nutrient status and post-harvest soil chemical properties. Results revealed that soil application of Zn + Fe+ Cu through ZnSO4.7H2O @ 20 Kgha-1, FeSO4.7H2O @ 12 Kgha-1, CuSO4.5H2O @ 2.0 Kgha-1 (T8) significantly enhanced soil nutrient availability, recording the highest values for available N (172.67 kg ha⁻¹), P (17.51 kg ha⁻¹), K (307.79 kg ha⁻¹), S (21.12 mg kg⁻¹), Zn (2.15 mg kg⁻¹), Fe (8.49 mg kg⁻¹), and Cu (1.81 mg kg⁻¹). Soil pH showed slight acidification under T8 (7.02), while electrical conductivity (EC) increased moderately (0.55 dSm⁻¹). Organic carbon remained relatively stable, with minor improvements under T7 (foliar spray of Zn + Fe as 1.0% ZnSO4.7H2O and 1.5% FeSO4.7H2O at Tillering and Booting Stages) and T9 (foliar application of Zn + Fe + Cu as 1.0% ZnSO4.7H2O, 1.5% FeSO4.7H2O and 0.1% CuSO4.5H2O at Tillering and Booting Stages). Varietal influence was minimal, whereas nutrient management treatments had a significant impact on most parameters. The results underscore the importance of balanced micronutrient application for improving soil fertility and sustaining nutrient availability in wheat-based cropping systems.