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rice (on residual moisture). Analysis of soil samples exhibited wide spread deficiency of Zn
(76.7%), Cu (23.8%) and B (33.6%) in South Tamil Nadu Plains (Coastal). Deficiency of Mn
(9.6%) was recorded in North Tamil Nadu Plains (Coastal). Deficiency of F e ranged from 0 to
11.5% with highest deficiency in Andhra plains.

Wes tern Ghats an d Coastal Plain

Western Ghats and Coastal Plain with hot humid and per-humid climate comprised of three
AESRs. This agro-ecoregion comprises Sahyadris, western coastal plains of Maharashtra,
Karnataka and K e r a l a states including Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. It occupies an area of
11.1 m ha. The major soils of the region include red and laterite soils along the leeward
flank of Sahyadris and the alluvium-derived soils in the coastal plains. The climate is
characterized by hot and humid summer and warm winter. The AER is intensively
cultivated with rice, tapioca, coconut and spices. Analysis of soil samples revealed
deficiency of B (37.7%), particularly i n t h e North Sahyadris and Konkan Coast.
Deficiencies of Zn ranged from 14.2-36.9% in Konkan, Karnataka and Kerala coastal plain,
whereas those of Fe (6.8%), Cu (6.7%) and Mn (6.6%) were of sporadic nature.

Map 5. B deficiency in the soils of different AESRs of India