Current Status of Available Micronutrients in Major Khartoum State Soils

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine available micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn,) status and their relationship with other soil properties. Soil samples were collected from eleven soil pits at the following depths; 0 – 30 , 30–60, and 60 – 90 cm, these soils represent different soil units occurring in Wadi Soba, Shambat, North West Omdurman and West Omdurman. The soils were analyzed for their physical and chemical properties and status of available micronutrients.

The result of sand, silt, and clay in the soils was categorized as sandy clay loam texture except Shambat soils which are silty clay to clay loam. All the soils have low calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content except in Omdurman areas (it is moderate), (Calcimeter method). They are deficient in organic carbon, except Shambat area which is adequately supplied with it (Walkley-black method). The cation exchange capacity (CEC) is relatively high. The soil reaction (pH) indicates that the soils were found to be of neutral to slightly alkaline reaction. They are non-saline and non-sodic except for the subsoil of Shambat and North West Omdurman (slightly saline). Available iron (Fe) content is adequate in Shambat and West Omdurman areas, but it is low in Wadi Soba and North West Omdurman areas. The manganese values are adequate in Shambat and West Omdurman areas and moderate in North West Omdurman, and low in Wadi Soba area. Available Copper content is moderate in Shambat area, low in Wadi Soba, North West Omdurman, and West Omdurman. The results of zinc have shown that all soils are low in this element.