All India Coordinated Project of Micro and Secondary Nutrients
and
Pollutant Elements in Soils & Plants

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Project Abstract
Micronutrient deficiencies have dramatic effects on crop growth and development, so their deficiency in soil caused a considerable decline in yield. Eight out of the 17 essential plant nutrients viz. B, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Mo, Cl and recently Ni are classified as micronutrients whose deficiency in soils and crops except chloride has been widely reported. The deficiencies are still on increase due to intensive cropping and regular use of high analysis fertilizers free from of micronutrient and sulphur. Realizing this ICAR Launched AICRP Micronutrients in the year 1967 to carry out research to diagnose micronutrient deficiency, delineate deficient areas and develop suitable amelioration technology for correcting micronutrient disorder and increasing crop production.

Much good information is generated on delineating micronutrient deficient areas and soil fertility maps of zinc, copper, manganese, and sulphur have been prepared. Application of 45 kg Zn/ha through zinc sulphate to alluvial, red and lateritic soils and 10 kg zinc/ha to swell-shrink soils was found optimum. Zinc applications significantly increases the cereals, oilseeds and pulse crop yield. Deficiency of Zn, Fe, Mn can be effectively controlled with 2-4 sprays of 0.5 percent of unneutralized sulphate salt solution on standing crops. At high concentration lime at the rate of 0.25% may be mixed in solution to neutralize its acidic effect, which may pose leaf scorching problem. Chelated salts are more efficient but these are very much costly and uneconomical. Basal application to soil before planting in case of Zn, B, S was more effective than foliar sprays while for Fe and Mn foliar sprays on sanding crops at one week intervals were found better. Basal soil application of 1.0-1.5 kg boron to alternate crop was found
optimum to cereal and oilseeds based cropping systems. Application of more than 2.0 kg boron/ha was found deleterious while foliar sprays were found less effective in increasing crop yields. Efficiency of borax and boric acid is found at par but later is a costly source. All sources are equally effective on long term use. Integrated effect of organic material and micronutrients was far more than micronutrient alone in increasing crop yields. Application 8-10 t /ha FYM, 2.5 t /ha of poultry 1-2 t /ha of piggary manure annually could effectively control zinc and other micronutrients deficiencies. If 4-5 t /ha FYM is added zinc requirement can be reduced to 50% of the recommended dose. Effect of FYM was more than zinc alone to soybean and other oilseeds. Application of sulphur improves the biochemical metabolic activities in plants and thereby yields, oil, protein and amino acid content in seed. Basal application is found more efficient than top dressing; however, in standing crops visual / hidden hunger can be effectively controlled through top dressing or foliar sprays. Tolerant crop and their cultivars may be recommended for micronutrient stressed areas and needs to taken up for further breeding programs. Use of multi micronutrients needs to be restricted unless deficiencies of more than two elements are established. More so soil application of Zn, B, Mo was found more effective while for Fe and Mn foliar sprays, so fertilizer use may be promoted accordingly. Blended fertilizer like zincated urea or zincated super phosphate showed mismatch to fulfill the desired nutrient requirements of crops in deficient areas and found suitable for correcting hidden hunger in specific locations. Alternate methods like seed coating have been found useful in reducing hidden hunger and likely adopted by seed corporation level. Use of phospho-gypsum, pressmud, biogas slurry is found beneficial.

Project contributions in monitoring inherent toxicities of Se, Cr, As, F of soil and pollution through sewage, industrial effluents, city wastes in agricultural soils has large practical significance in reducing their adverse effect. Our frontier research of basic and applied knowledge on transformations and availability of micronutrients and pollutants in divergent soils showed much practical significance in diagnosing and managing their deficiencies and toxicities of heavy metals in soil-plant-animal-human chain. Scientists contributions in creating mass awareness and publishing quality literature is widely awarded which helped our country to become a food grain surplus nation.