Micronutrient Diffusion Behavior of Nutrient Pellets in Acid Sulphate Soils

Nutrient bias of acid sulphate soils with overabundance of oxides and sulphates of iron and aluminum fabricates acidic nature in soil as well as inadequacy of other essential nutrients. Crop production in acid sulphate soil is found challenging due to the deteriorating nutrient status hence, this soil is deemed as problem soil. This study aims to concoct a multinutrient pellet for the enhancement of nutrient status in acid sulphate soil, using nutrient sources permitted in National Programme for Organic Production. Laboratory incubation experiment was performed to evaluate the nutrient release characteristics of pellets for 60 days in completely randomized design with 8 treatments and 3 replications. Standard procedures were employed to analyze the nutrient composition of pellets and nutrient concentration of soil samples drawn at regular intervals. N content was highest in Pellet 3 (Blood meal +Steamed bone meal +Potassium sulphate) while P & K content were highest in Pellet 1 (Blood meal +Rock phosphate +Potassium sulphate). Soil pH and electrical conductivity increased with days of incubation while organic carbon decreased. Nutrient availability surged from day 1 to 60 and the maximum was observed on 60thday of incubation. The blood meal-based pellets had the strong propensity to perpetuate and enhance the nutrient release to the soil in comparison with other pellets. Hence, the replacement of conventional fertilizers by organic multinutrient pellets can optimize the nutrient cachets of acid sulphate soils.