मृदा मे सूक्ष्म पोषक तत्‍‍‍‍‍‍‍वाें की वर्तमान स्थिति और फसलों पर उनके लक्षण

Micro nutrients are essential for the normal growth of plants. Deficiencies of micro-nutrient drastically affect the growth, metabolism and reproductive phase in plants, animal and human beings. Wide spread deficiencies of micronutrients has been found in Indian soils. About 3 billion people in the world are affected with micronutrient malnutrition. Crop plants requires 17 nutrient elements viz. C, H, O, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, B, Mo, Cl and Ni for completing their life cycle. Out of these last eight elements are micro nutrients that are needed in very less amount for crops but these are equally important as that of macronutrients. Management of micro nutrients deficiencies in view of decline in production of major crops is a cause of concern that requires immediate attention. Production of adequate food grain from the finite land resources to feed the burgeoning population is a great challenge in the years to come.

Deficiency of Micro-nutrients:

Changing scenario of micro-nutrient deficiencies phase wise during four decades (1968-2008) was studied in soils of India, their impact of crop production and changes in micro nutrient concentration in seeds and fodders, thereby influences on animal and human health. Scenario of micro nutrient deficiency in north India in early eighties was different than now after four decades. Zinc deficiency remained a major problem all over country. Zinc deficiency has increased from 44% to 48% and expected to further increase up to 63% by 2025 as most of the marginal soils are showing higher response to added zinc (Singh, 2006). State wise scenario of soils tested deficient in micro-nutrients (Table 1) revealed that Zn deficiency was mainly associate with the states of Maharastra (86%), Karnataka (72%), Haryana (60%), Tamilnadu (58%), Orissa (54%), Bihar (54%) and U.P. (45%). Whereas B deficiency is widespread in West Bengal (68%), Bihar (38%), Karnataka (32%), U.P. (24%), M.P. (22%) and Tamilnadu (21%).

Table:1 State wise scenario of Soils tested deficient in micronutrients

Source: Singh,M.V.(2001)

Other micronutrients such as Fe are mainly deficient in Karnataka (35%), H.P. (27%), Maharastra (24%), Haryana (20%), Tamilnadu (17%), and Punjab (14%). Deficiency of Mn,Cu and Mo is also emerging as the results of soil tests are being available from different parts of the country. Intensive soil testing is required to documents the actual status of micronutrients. General symptoms of micronutrients are presented in Table2.

Table 2: General symptoms of micronutrients deficiency in crop plants

Source: Fageria et al. (2002)

Role of Micronurtients:

ZINC (Zn)

Flower formation: Zinc is crucial in flower formation. i.e. Canola. Zinc acts like “Antifreeze” in the plant to give early and late frost protection. Zinc controls the synthesis of many plant growth regulators. Animals deficient in Zinc require twice as much feed to attain the same weight. Zinc is unavailable in high pH soils. Zinc improves germination rate and plant vigor.

COPPER (Cu)

Plant disease prevention: Cu is important in plant disease prevention. - Plant Diseases - i.e.: Net Blotch, Ergot and Pig Tailing. Cu affects lignin building qualities and is crucial in preventing lodging. Cu greatly affects kernel size and kernel weight.

IRON (Fe)

Chlorophyll formation: Iron is required for the formation of chlorophyll in the plant. Iron is essential for plant respiration, photo-synthesis and symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Iron along with Molybdenum help plants fix atmospheric NITROGEN out of the air. Also keep in mind that the air is 78% Nitrogen & all plants can fix Nitrogen out of the air. Most soils in Western Canada are sufficient in iron.

MANGANESE (Mn)

The element of life: NO MANGANESE = NO LIFE. Mn assists Iron in Chlorophyll production. Mn affects lignin building qualities and is critical in preventing lodging & disease.

BORON (B):

In sugar mover: Boron moves plant sugars up and down the plant daily.

Cell development: Boron functions in plants in the differentiation of meristematic cells. Without Boron, cells may continue to divide, but structural components are not differentiated.

Missing seeds: At the top and the bottom of the pod is a hormone called GBBA. This hormone must move in the pod to fertilize each and every seed in that pod. No GBBA no seed. The nutrient that moves GBBA throughout the pod is Boron along with mainly Phosphorus, Manganese, Calcium and other nutrients. Remember boron along with Phosphorus moves sugars in the plant daily, so if there is an interruption of this or a lack of nutrients - the seed does not become fertilized so therefore no seed.

MOLYBDENUM (Mo)

Plant nodulation: The most miss understood micronutrient, but one of the most important. Without Mo – plants cannot transform nitrogen into amino acids and legumes cannot symbiotically fix atmospheric nitrogen. Mo is very important for plant nodulation (Peas, Beans, Alfalfa).

Future Aspects:

There is an urgent need to increase the facilities of micronutrients analysis with qualified and trained personnel able to guide sampling techniques, take up the job of analysis and fertilizer recommendation effectively. Micronutrients deficiency in crop production is increasing with intensive cultivation. It has assumed importance because micronutrients deficiencies are identified as one of the key barrier in augmenting productivity of crops. Therefore, a well planed systematic and focused basic and strategic research work is need to be carried out to suggest its need, economic use of fertilizers and measures to inhanced fertilizer use efficiency.

References:

1. Fageria, N. K.; Baligar, V. C.; Clark, R. B.(2002) Micronutrients in crop production. Advances in Agronomy, New York, v. 77, p. 189-272
2. Singh, MV (2001) Evaluation of micronutrient stocks in different agroecological zones of India. Indian J.Fertilizer 46:25-42.
3. Singh, MV (2006) Micronutrients in crops and in soils of India. In. micronutrients for global
4. crop production. (Ed. BJ Alloway), Springer.Business

Authors:

¹Dileep Kumar, A.P. Singh and ²Anjani Kumar

¹Research Scholar, Department of soil science & agricultural chemistry,

Institute of agriculture science, BHU,Varanasi

Scientist², Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Orissa

 ¹Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.