Topographical distribution of cobalt in different agro-climatic zones of Jharkhand state, India

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to understand the present status of cobalt in different agro-climatic zones. The soil samples were collected from different locations and topo-sequences of three agro-climatic zones of Jharkhand, India, viz. zone-IV (Baliapur, Jharia, and Dhanbad), zone-V (Bagru, Pakharpat, Kisko, and Lohardaga), and zone-VI (Moshabani, Jadugonda, and Chandil). The soil samples were analyzed in a laboratory to estimate the total cobalt and Diethylene-triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable cobalt. Results show mean concentration of DTPA extractable cobalt in zones-IV, V, and VI have been determined as 0.65, 0.5, and 1.03 mg kg−1, whereas the mean total cobalt content in different agro-climatic zones was 109.17, 107.58, and 102.58 mg kg−1, respectively. The work highlights the higher amount of DTPA-extractable and the total content of cobalt was observed in lowland against the different topo-sequences. Further, the results of multiple regression equations have revealed that the distribution of extractable cobalt is primarily controlled by pH, clay, and organic carbon. Whereas, organic carbon controls the distribution of total cobalt content hence, the organic carbon plays a critical role in the distribution of cobalt in the soil.