Assessment of spatial variability of micronutrients in soils of eastern central demonstration farm Dr. PDKV, Akola

Georeferenced surface soil samples from eight (8) blocks of eastern Central Demonstration Farm, Dr. PDKV, Akola were delineated using stratified random soil sampling method. An investigation was carried out at All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Micro and Secondary Nutrients and Pollutant Elements in Soils and Plant under Department of Soil Science, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra to assess the chemical properties and micronutrients status in soils of eastern Central Demonstration Farm in the year 2024-2025. Total two hundred and sixty-eight (268) soil samples at the depth of (0-20 cm) were collected across the eight blocks of eastern CDF and analysed in the laboratory. The results revealed that pH, EC, CaCO3 and OC of soils collected across different blocks of eastern CDF varied from 7.45 to 8.48, 0.10 to 0.80 dS m-1, 2.12 to 21.87% and 1.40 to 9.7 g kg-1. The DTPA-Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn ranged from 0.20 to 1.71 mg Kg-1, 1.91 to 12.73 mg Kg-1, 0.25 to 4.45 mg Kg-1 and 2.02 to 21.56 mg Kg-1 respectively. The CaCl2-B in soils ranged from 0.70 to 1.73 mg Kg-1. The results obtained clearly showed a large variability in physio-chemical properties of soil across the eastern Central Demonstration Farm in the jurisdiction of Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. The soils were latent deficient in zinc and iron; adequate in manganese and boron; high in copper with nutrient index values as very low for zinc; moderate for iron; moderately high for manganese, high for boron and very high for copper.