Status of Zinc Availability in Jhum Fields under Rainfed Condition in Zunheboto District of Nagaland

The Zinc deficiency in the soil is spreading worldwide. It can lead to decrease in soil fertility, crop yield and productivity. It is an essential micronutrient required for plants and an important dietary nutrient for the wellbeing of human beings and animals. In Nagaland, its deficiency is slowly increasing and several factors such as shifting cultivation which is also known as slash and burn, forest fire, leaching and runoff and nutrient exhaustion in the soil by the crop may be attributing to its deficiency in the soil. As Zinc deficiency is rapidly increasing all over, a soil survey on zinc availability was conducted in 83 jhum fields under rainfed condition covering 7 villages of Zunheboto district of Nagaland during 2016-17. The soil samples were collected from the field using GPS and were analysed using standard procedure. It was observed that the Zinc deficiency ranged from 0.26 to 0.55 mg kg-1 which indicated that its deficiency is found widespread in this part of the region. Zinc being an important micronutrient for growth and yield of crops, timely nutrient management through balanced fertilization will enhance soil fertility and crop productivity.