Soil Micronutrient Deficiencies and Hidden Hunger: Insights from Zagga District Soils, Kebbi State, Nigeria
Micronutrient deficiencies in soils not only constrain agricultural productivity but also contribute to hidden hunger through reduced nutritional quality of food crops. This study investigated the availability of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) in soils of Zagga District to assess their implications for soil fertility and food security. Results showed that Zn concentrations were gen erally low (0.44–2.23 mg/kg; mean = 0.81 mg/kg), indicating widespread deficiency, while Fe was abundant (1.47–13.04 mg/kg; mean = 9.30 mg/kg), Cu was borderline (0.28–0.76 mg/kg; mean = 0.47 mg/kg), and Mn was adequate (1.27–5.71 mg/kg; mean = 3.11 mg/kg). Correlation analysis confirmed that Zn availability was linked to clay content, Cu to organic matter, Fe to soil acidity, and Mn to pH stability. These findings suggest that Zn is the most critical limiting nutrient in the soils, with direct consequences for crop yield and nutritional quality. Addressing Zn deficiency through fertilizer enrichment, biofortification, and integrated soil–crop–nutrition management is essential to improve food security and reduce hidden hunger in soils of the study area.
Keywords: Soil Micronutrients; Hidden Hunger; Zinc Deficiency; Soil Fertility; Zagga District
