A study was aimed to delineate the micronutrient status, their change directive with time and relationship with other soil variables in piedmont soils of Bangladesh. Northern and Eastern Piedmont Plains (AEZ 22) is one of the 30 agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of the country whose bench mark status of soil micronutrient has been used for comparing with the present status. There is an indication of zinc (Zn) and boron (B) depletion to some extent after a decade of time whereas the very high fertility status of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) prevails as it was in the previous status. In general view, the micronutrient content of surface soil (0-15 cm) was higher than those of sub-surface soils (15-30 cm). In surface soil clay content showed significant correlation with soil Zn (r=0.403**), Cu (r=0.752**), Fe (r=0.501**) and Mn (r=0.340**). Cu content of soil exhibited positive relationship with all the soil parameters except soil pH and P content; there existed highly significant negative correlation of Cu with soil pH (r=-0.578**) and P (r=-0.420**). The availability of Fe in soil was strongly related with soil clay content (r=0.501**), soil pH (r=-0.686**) and organic matter content (r=0.527**). In surface soil, Fe content influenced significantly with the content of Zn, Cu and Mn. Accordingly in sub-surface soil, positive significant interaction of Zn-Fe, Cu-Fe, Cu-Mn and Fe-Mn was observed. The message revealed from this study concerning nutrient depletion, and interactions among different soil parameters and nutrient elements will pave the way for efficient use of soil resources in a sustainable way.

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Article InfoThe quality and efficacy of vermicompost are greatly influenced by the respective feeding materials as well as earthworm species used in vermicomposting. Consequently, the variable role of applied vermicompost is reflected in crop production. With a view to observe the efficacy of vermicompost produced from various sources in supplementing zinc and boron requirement for quality production of cabbage, a field study was conducted in Floodplain soil of Bangladesh. Six treatment combinations comprising of vermicompost from different sources, and different levels of zinc and boron from mineral fertilizers were tested in the study. The vermicompost used in different treatments were produced from different combinations of feeding materials (cowdung and poultry litter) and earthworm species (Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae). A control treatment having no supplement of Zn and B was tested in the study. Higher measurements were recorded for most of the parameters studied, i.e., head diameter, marketable yield and total yield in the vermicompost treated plots than the solely mineral fertilizer treated plot. Except for P, the highest uptake of each of the elements by cabbage was observed due to the application of T3 treatment (VC-ECD @2.0 t ha -1 + 1.5 kg Zn ha -1 + 1.0 kg B ha -1 ). The findings of this research work indicate the additional benefit of using vermicompost over the mineral fertilizer in supplying zinc and boron for better production of cabbage.