Distribution of nickel in different agro-climatic zones of Jharkhand, India

摘要

ABSTRACT Nickel is a micronutrient and contributes to nitrogen fixation and metabolism of urea and is important for seed germination. For productive soil, the concentration of 1–20 mg?kg~(?1)is recommended. The objective of the work was to investigate the distribution of nickel in different agro-climatic zones and identification of different factors that control the distribution. Surface soil samples were collected from different locations and topo-sequences covering three agro-climatic zones of Jharkhand, viz. zone-IV (Baliapur, Jharia, and Dhanbad), zone-V (Bagru, Pakharpat, Kisko, and Lohardaga), and zone-VI (Moshabani, Jadugonda, and Chandil). Total number ( n =?225) of soil samples were collected from the surface and examined for nickel. Diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA) extractable nickel in zones IV, V, and VI were 0.06–2.5, 0.06–2.2, and 0.06–4.46 mg?kg~(?1), respectively, whereas total content of nickel in zones IV, V, and VI were 147–472, 122–486, and 93–630 mg?kg~(?1), respectively. A higher amount of DTPA-extractable and the total content of nickel were observed in lowland against the different topo-sequences. The study of stepwise multiple regression equations showed more impact of soil pH and electrical conductivity on extractable nickel than other soil parameters whereas, in case of total nickel content, organic matter was an important determining factor.