Fertility status and relationship between zinc, boron with other properties of soils below five year aged arecanut plantations

Abstract

A survey was conducted in the areca growing tracts of Davangere districts to assess the fertility status of below five year aged areca plantations. The soils were neutral to alkaline in reaction, EC was normal for plant function and production and medium to higher content of organic carbon, and cation exchange capacity was coincide with organic carbon. Available nutrient status of nitrogen, potassium, sulphur were ranged between medium to high, phosphorus was ranged between low to high. Exchangeable calcium and magnesium were recorded higher than the critical limits. Except boron all other micronutrients were sufficient. All these nutrients were decreased with increase in depth but boron was decreased with increase in depth. With respect to correlation studies Zn and B was positively correlated with clay, pH, EC, OC, CEC, Ca, Fe, Mn and sand, clay, OC, N, Mg, and Cu respectively.