The role of pedogenesis and natural fertiliser as vectors for essential metal content in agricultural topsoils, Central India

Suhr, Nils; Widdowson, Mike; Kamber, Balz S.

doi:10.1007/s42452-020-03982-7

The role of pedogenesis and natural fertiliser as vectors for essential metal content in agricultural topsoils, Central India

Suhr, Nils; Widdowson, Mike; Kamber, Balz S.

Authors

Nils Suhr

Mike Widdowson

Balz S. Kamber

Abstract

© 2021, The Author(s). Essential trace metals are well known for their environmental toxicity and for being part of complex bio-chemical cycles. Their role as critical micronutrients, delivering vital health benefits, is less widely discussed and understood, holding back strategies for combatting malnutrition. Crops grown on many Indian soils suffer from deficiencies in essential metals, notably iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and molybdenum (Mo). The list of deficient metals will likely grow due to increasing future crop demand. Geostatistical analysis of soils and farmyard manure (FYM), the predominant fertiliser, implies that residual oxide minerals carry high concentrations of the essential trace metals Fe, Zn, copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn) not only in soil but also in FYM (especially Fe, Cr, Cu, Co and Ni). A geochemical survey across a road traverse of 600 km, encompassing an area of c. 15,000 km2, was conducted in Central India to evaluate reported essential metal deficiency in key agricultural topsoils. Importantly, our evaluation of the element cycling in this system reveals that despite high bulk concentrations, some key metals remain bio-unavailable. In effect, the existence of refractory (weathering-resistant) oxides is likely a significant factor for deficiency symptoms in the soil–plant-fertiliser cycle. Further, mass balance calculations of the bioavailable pool of metals imply that only Fe and Mn are present in sufficient quantities to combat deficiency problems. Notwithstanding this limitation of FYM, its high organic carbon content, as well as its importance for Zn, Cu and Fe, validates its traditional use to maintain the fertility and physical condition of Indian topsoils.

Citation

Suhr, N., Widdowson, M., & Kamber, B. S. (2021). The role of pedogenesis and natural fertiliser as vectors for essential metal content in agricultural topsoils, Central India. SN Applied Sciences, 3(1), Article 40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-03982-7

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Dec 19, 2020
Online Publication Date	Jan 8, 2021
Publication Date	Jan 1, 2021
Deposit Date	May 24, 2022
Publicly Available Date	May 26, 2022
Journal	SN Applied Sciences
Electronic ISSN	2523-3971
Publisher	Springer (part of Springer Nature)
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	3
Issue	1
Article Number	40
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-03982-7
Keywords	Soil; India; Manure; Metals; Agriculture; Fertiliser
Public URL	https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3729523

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

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