Journal of Experimental Agriculture International

Micronutrients such as zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) play a vital role in plant metabolism and are essential for improving crop productivity and soil fertility. The present study explores the Post-Harvest Soil Nutrient Status as Influenced by Sulphate Salts of Zn, Fe and Cu in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A field experiment was conducted at SIF, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur for two consecutive rabi cropping seasons, 2022-23 and 2023-24 to study the influence of sulphate-based micronutrient fertilizers on nutrient status and post-harvest soil chemical properties. Results revealed that soil application of Zn + Fe+ Cu through ZnSO₄.7H₂O @ 20 Kgha^-1, FeSO₄.7H₂O @ 12 Kgha^-1, CuSO₄.5H₂O @ 2.0 Kgha^-1 (T₈) significantly enhanced soil nutrient availability, recording the highest values for available N (172.67 kg ha⁻¹), P (17.51 kg ha⁻¹), K (307.79 kg ha⁻¹), S (21.12 mg kg⁻¹), Zn (2.15 mg kg⁻¹), Fe (8.49 mg kg⁻¹), and Cu (1.81 mg kg⁻¹). Soil pH showed slight acidification under T₈ (7.02), while electrical conductivity (EC) increased moderately (0.55 dSm⁻¹). Organic carbon remained relatively stable, with minor improvements under T₇ (foliar spray of Zn + Fe as 1.0% ZnSO₄.7H₂O and 1.5% FeSO₄.7H₂O at Tillering and Booting Stages) and T₉ (foliar application of Zn + Fe + Cu as 1.0% ZnSO₄.7H₂O, 1.5% FeSO₄.7H₂O and 0.1% CuSO₄.5H₂O at Tillering and Booting Stages). Varietal influence was minimal, whereas nutrient management treatments had a significant impact on most parameters. The results underscore the importance of balanced micronutrient application for improving soil fertility and sustaining nutrient availability in wheat-based cropping systems.