SOIL surface and subsurface samples were collected using Global Position System (GPS) from selected soil profiles represented the different soils of 4 eastern districts (Abnub, El-Fateh, Sahel saleem and El- Badary) of Assiut Governorate, to evaluate the fertility status and indices of some micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) as well as their correlations with some chemical properties of these soils. The area of these studied districts that lies in the east of the river Nile was divided into 7 transects. A number of soil profiles was selected in each transect according to the Nile valley width.
Most of the studied soil samples showed neutral to moderately alkaline soil pH, safe soil salinity (ECe) levels and low to moderate contents of CaCO3. All studied soil samples contained sufficient amounts of the extractable Mn in both surface and subsurface layers, deficient to moderate amounts of the extractable Zn. On the other hand, DTPA- extractable Fe and Cu were always sufficient except for few surface soil samples in Sahel Seleem and subsurface soil samples in Abnub districts which had marginal levels of Fe and Cu, respectively.
All collected soil samples had high nutrient index value (NIV) for both DTPA-Cu and Mn, while they showed medium NIV for DTPA-Zn. On the other hand, both El-Fateh and Sahel Seleem district soils were high NIV of 2.38 and 2.50, respectively, whereas Abnob and El-Badary ones revealed medium NIV of 2.33 and 2.17, respectively for the DTPA- Fe. Significant negative correlations were recorded between the investigated extracted micronutrients and soil pH, ECe and CaCO3 content, whereas they were positively correlated to OM and CEC.