Elucidating Soil Micronutrient Transformations under Food Crop Cultivation Using FTIR Spectroscopy

Abstract

Soil micronutrient transformations play a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility, crop productivity, and sustainable agricultural systems. The present study aimed to elucidate the transformation behavior of soil micronutrients under food crop cultivation using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The soil samples were collected from experimental agricultural fields before and after crop cultivation and analysed for selected physicochemical properties and micronutrient status including Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu. FTIR spectroscopy was used as a rapid and sensitive analytical technique to characterize changes in soil functional groups and mineral-organic interactions involved in nutrient dynamics. The recording of FTIR spectra in the mid-infrared region (4000-400cm-1) was helpful to identify absorption bands for organic compounds, clay minerals, metal oxides and nutrient linked complexes. Variations in spectral peaks indicated significant biochemical and mineralogical transformations in cultivated soils due to rhizospheric activities, organic matter decomposition, and nutrient mobilization processes. The observed shifts in hydroxyl, carboxyl, silicate, and carbonate functional groups suggested interactions between soil organic matter and micronutrient elements influencing nutrient availability and stabilization. Comparative analysis among cultivated soils demonstrated that crop growth significantly altered soil chemical environments and micronutrient transformations. The study highlights the effectiveness of FTIR spectroscopy in monitoring soil nutrient dynamics and understanding the mechanisms governing micronutrient behavior in agricultural ecosystems. These findings may contribute to improved soil nutrient management strategies and sustainable food crop production through better assessment of soil biochemical transformations and micronutrient bioavailability.