Assessment of zinc availability to rice in mollisols of North India

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize zinc (Zn) fractions and their relation to Zn extracted with mixed‐bed ion exchange resin capsules and (2) assess the relationships between the latter and Zn uptake by rice in 12 Mollisols from North India. The Resin Adsorption Quantity (RAQ) of Zn was measured after 1 and 14 days of anaerobic incubation. Six organic and inorganic Zn fractions were determined on anaerobic soil. Zinc uptake by rice was studied in a greenhouse experiment. Soil Zn fractions under reduced conditions followed the order residual Zn (80%)>carbonates and amorphous oxides bound Zn (12%)>weakly organically bound Zn (3%)>crystalline oxides bound Zn (2%)>strongly organically bound Zn (2%)>water soluble + exchangeable Zn (1%). RAQ‐Zn was best correlated with Zn bound to carbonates and amorphous oxides. Due to negative interactions between bicarbonate and Zn uptake, correlations between relative dry matter yield or total Zn uptake and the different Zn fractions, DTPA‐Zn measured on dry soil, or RAQ Zn were not significant. Adjusting soil test values according to soil pH improved the prediction of relative dry matter yield, but further studies are required to determine whether the resin capsule can be used as a soil test for Zn in calcareous soils.