Assessment of Acidic Soil Nutrient Stoichiometry on Molybdenum Fertilization for Sustainable Crop Production

Background: Molybdenum (Mo), an essential micronutrient, is known to have a profound influence on various biochemical and physiological processes in plants. A variety of factors, including soil pH, organic matter content, and the abundance of particular minerals that interact with nutrient dynamics, affect the availability of essential nutrients in the soil. Acidic soil conditions frequently cause lower nutrient availability as a result of influencing factors like increased manganese and aluminium toxicity as well as lesser microbial activity. Soil acidification can impact agricultural productivity. For the creation of efficient and long-lasting soil management techniques that can ease nutrient constraints and boost agricultural productivity, it is essential to comprehend the impact of molybdenum on the dynamics of soil macronutrients and micronutrients in acid soils. Methods: A 60 days incubation experiment was carried out under laboratory conditions to study the effect of molybdenum fertilization on the release pattern of molybdenum and other nutrients from the soil. Soil samples were filled in jars, and treatments were imposed. Samples were collected at 15, 30, 45, and 60 days of incubation, dried, and processed for available nitrogen, phosphorus, and DTPA extractable micronutrients. Results: Molybdenum addition showed a significant influence on the release of various nutrients present in the soil. It was also observed that molybdenum has a synergistic effect on available nitrogen and phosphorus, while it exhibited antagonism towards DTPA extractable micronutrients, namely Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu. Molybdenum fertilization holds great promise for enhancing the macronutrients' availability and reducing the toxicity of micronutrients in acid soils. It will be helpful for sustainable agricultural production under acidic soil.