PhD project: Availability of micronutrients zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) from organic materials and rock mineral powder

Institutt for plante- og miljøvitenskap

PhD student: Manju Chaudhary
Supervisor(s): Bal Ram Singh, Tore Krogstad, Michael Heim
Duration: 2005-2009

In conventional agriculture, micronutrients are supplied by commercial fertilizers, which are not allowed to be used in organic farming and hence they may be supplied by less soluble sources such as organic materials and rock mineral powder. It has also been recognised for many years that chemical changes in rhizosphere can affect the mobility and bioavailability of micronutrients from the above-mentioned sources in different ways, which will be topics of this investigation.

Objectives:
1. To assess the solubility of micronutrients, Zn, Mn, and Cu, from rock mineral powder in combination with organic materials.
2. To study plant availability of Zn, Mn, and Cu from rock mineral powder with and without organic materials.
3. To assess rhizospheric effects (pH, root Distribution, root exudates, soil Organic Carbon, total C and N) on solubility of Zn, Mn and Cu by using rhizoboxes.
4. To study plant uptake and availability of Zn, Mn, and Cu under field conditions


Updated: 29.03.06
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