Influence of soil parent materials on the distribution of Boron, Copper and Zinc in Selected Soils in South Western Nigeria

Abstract

Understanding the influence of soil parent materials on the distribution and availability of soil micronutrients is essential for proper soil micronutrient management techniques. The soil profile distribution of total and extractable boron (B), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in four western Nigeria formed on various parent materials such as alluvium, shale, schists, and sandstone was determined. Total and available B, Cu and Zn concentrations were analysed and measured in mg/kg using standard procedures. The total concentration of B ranges from 28.80 to 70.24, Cu from 38.45 to 85.25, and Zn from 42.30 to 63.23. The soil formed on schists had more total Zn, Cu and B than those from alluvium, shale and sandstone. The available B, Cu and Zn ranged from 0.001 to 0.008, 0.003 to 0.014 and 0.003 to 0.010 respectively. The mean concentration of total B, Cu and Zn are respectively 49.08, 67.94 and 54.15 in soils with alluvium parent material; 50.05, 73.94 and 54.86 in soils with shale parent material; 58.73, 74.31 and 54.42 in soils with schist parent materials; 45.69, 43.15 and 48.93 in soils with sandstone parent materials. The results showed that soils from schists parent materials had the highest concentration for B and Cu while soils from sandstone had the highest Zn total concentration. In alluvium, shale, schists and sandstone parent materials B had mean available concentrations of 0.003, 0.005, 0.004 and 0.002 respectively, Cu had 0.008, 0.005, 0.007 and 0.009 respectively while Zn had 0.008, 0.008, 0.011 and 0.009 respectively. The results showed that B is more available in soils with shale parent material while Cu and Zn are more available in soils with sandstone parent materials. The available forms of the studied micronutrients in this study were below the critical levels and which could reduce crops quantitative and qualitative yields. Therefore, application of well formulated organic and inorganic fertilizers may be required to improve their status in the soil.