ABSTRACT
An investigation was carried out to characterize the soils and to assess the vertical distribution of micronutrient fractions (Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn) in twelve profiles of five soil series in Gudageri-2 micro-watershed of Kundgol taluk, Dharwad district. Grid wise surface samples were collected at 320×320 m interval and chemical properties of soils were studied. The soils were slightly alkaline to strongly alkaline with non-saline in nature and soil organic carbon was low to high. The micro-watershed showed low to medium available N, medium in available P2O5 and available sulphur, while available potassium was found to be medium to high. The DTPA extractable iron, copper, manganese was low to medium, while DTPA extractable zinc was found to be low in the area. Depth wise soil samples were also collected from twelve profiles based on soil heterogeneity and analyzed for pedon morphology, physical, chemical properties and distribution of micronutrient fractions. Soil structure varied from sub-angular blocky to angular blocky, texture was generally clay loam to clay. Bulk density increased with depth whereas the porosity decreased with depth. The pH and EC values ranged from slightly alkaline to strongly alkaline and normal to slightly saline, respectively. Organic carbon content decreased with increase in depth. Conversely, free CaCO3 content increased with depth. Cation exchange capacity did not show any stable pattern down the depth. The distribution of water soluble, exchangeable and organic cationic micronutrients decreased with depth whereas carbonate bound increased with depth. The residual and total micronutrient fractions also increased with depth. Correlation study revealed that water soluble and exchangeable forms of micronutrients showed significant and positive correlation with OC and negative correlation with the CaCO3 and significant and positive correlation among themselves. The order in which they are available are Residual > Carbonate > Organic > Exchangeable > Water soluble.