Assessment of Post-harvest Soil Nutrient Status as Influenced by Sulphate Salts of Zinc, Iron and Copper in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Micronutrients such as zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) play a vital role in plant metabolism and are essential for improving crop productivity and soil fertility. The present study explores the Post-Harvest Soil Nutrient Status as Influenced by Sulphate Salts of Zn, Fe and Cu in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A field experiment was conducted at SIF, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur for two consecutive rabi cropping seasons, 2022-23 and 2023-24 to study the influence of sulphate-based micronutrient fertilizers on nutrient status and post-harvest soil chemical properties. Results revealed that soil application of Zn + Fe+ Cu through ZnSO4.7H2O @ 20 Kgha-1, FeSO4.7H2O @ 12 Kgha-1, CuSO4.5H2O @ 2.0 Kgha-1 (T8) significantly enhanced soil nutrient availability, recording the highest values for available N (172.67 kg ha⁻¹), P (17.51 kg ha⁻¹), K (307.79 kg ha⁻¹), S (21.12 mg kg⁻¹), Zn (2.15 mg kg⁻¹), Fe (8.49 mg kg⁻¹), and Cu (1.81 mg kg⁻¹). Soil pH showed slight acidification under T8 (7.02), while electrical conductivity (EC) increased moderately (0.55 dSm⁻¹). Organic carbon remained relatively stable, with minor improvements under T7 (foliar spray of Zn + Fe as 1.0% ZnSO4.7H2O and 1.5% FeSO4.7H2O at Tillering and Booting Stages) and T9 (foliar application of Zn + Fe + Cu as 1.0% ZnSO4.7H2O, 1.5% FeSO4.7H2O and 0.1% CuSO4.5H2O at Tillering and Booting Stages). Varietal influence was minimal, whereas nutrient management treatments had a significant impact on most parameters. The results underscore the importance of balanced micronutrient application for improving soil fertility and sustaining nutrient availability in wheat-based cropping systems.