Vol. 10, Issue 12, Part E (2024)

Abstract
Cobalt (Co) is a trace element of significant importance in soil systems, influencing plant nutrition, microbial activity, and overall soil health. This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of cobalt in soils, focusing on its total content, various forms, availability, factors affecting its dynamics, and interaction of cobalt with essential plant nutrients. Both natural processes and anthropogenic activities influence the total cobalt content in soils. Naturally, cobalt is derived from the weathering of cobalt-bearing minerals and atmospheric deposition. Anthropogenic sources, including mining, industrial emissions, and the application of cobalt-containing fertilizers, can significantly alter the concentration of cobalt in soils. Cobalt exists in several chemical forms in soils, including soluble, exchangeable, carbonate-bound, organic matter-bound, and oxide-bound species. The distribution of these forms affects cobalt’s bioavailability and its uptake by plants. The availability of cobalt in soils is governed by a range of factors, including soil pH, organic matter content, soil texture, and the presence of competing ions. Cobalt interacts intricately with other essential plant nutrients. These interactions can influence nutrient uptake and utilization by plants. Cobalt’s presence can affect the availability of phosphorus and other nutrients through competitive interactions and changes in soil chemistry. This review synthesizes current knowledge on cobalt in soils and its interactions with essential nutrients, highlighting key research findings and identifying gaps in understanding. By examining the interplay between cobalt forms, availability, influencing factors, and interactions with essential nutrients, the paper aims to provide insights into effective management practices and strategies to optimize cobalt’s benefits while mitigating potential risks.