Availability of zinc and variability within the profile in Chromic Vertisol in Holguin province

Abstract

The study was developed with the objective of evaluating the zinc content available in five profiles of Chromic Vertisol, its distribution within the soil profile and the relationship with some chemical properties. The samples were taken in areas dedicated to the agricultural activity in Mayarí municipality, Holguín province. The variables evaluated were: pH, available phosphorus and potassium, organic matter and the interchangeable cations: calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. The available zinc was determined by extraction with diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA). The results showed deficiencies of zinc available in the five soil profiles, with average values between 0.23 and 0.30 mg kg-1, according to the established critical levels. The highest concentration of zinc occurred in the superficial horizon with a tendency to decrease with depth. The available zinc variability was low within the study area, influenced mainly by the assimilable levels of phosphorus in the soil profile.

Keywords

• soil profile
• chemical properties
• available zinc