Benchmark soils are a collection of soil orders that represents a particular geographical region. Knowledge on their properties and behavior may be applied to solve management problems of other soils with similar properties. The present study was carried out to determine the Mn and Fe available concentration by different extractants and their distribution among soil fractions in benchmark soils of Pernambuco State, Brazil. It was also aimed at studying the relationship between routine extractants and micronutrient forms in the soils. Manganese and iron concentrations were determined in the first two soil horizons by Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3, DTPA, and EDTA extractants. In addition, the soil samples were sequentially extracted to determine the elements conten in exchangeable, organic matter and amorphous and crystalline iron oxides fractions. The results showed that the exchangeable and organic matter fractions were were mostly responsible for the retention and availability of Mn in the soils, while the organic matter fraction was mainly related to Fe available contents due to its low concentration in the exchangeable fraction. In general, available concentration of Mn and Fe in most benchmark soils of Pernambuco are medium to high, and deficiencies are not expected in short and medium terms. Mehlich-1 and DTPA presented the best correlations with most bioavailable forms of Mn and Fe and, as a result, they may be properly used for an assessment of the availability of such elements in soils of Pernambuco.
micronutrients; fractionation; tropical soils
