Korean Journal of Soil Science and FertilizerISSN:0367-6315(Print) 2288-2162(Online)한국토양비료학회

Soil chemistry is closely related to the productivity of crops and is known as an important factor in determining the nutritional status of the rhizosphere environment suitable for the growth of fruits trees. In this study, chemical properties in 150 sites of orchard soils in Jeonnam province were investigated at four-year interval from 2002 to 2018. Soil pH value had tended to increase gradually within the optimum range, and available phosphate content was always higher than the optimum range, and it increased continuously. The soil organic matter content increased from 33 g kg^-1 in 2002 to 38 g kg^-1 in 2014, and decreased to 32 g kg^-1 in 2018. In the 2018 survey, exchangeable potassium and calcium content were 1.5 times and 1.8 times, respectively, higher than the upper limit of the optimum range. As a result of the correlation analysis between soil chemical components, soil organic matter showed a high correlation with available phosphate content and exchangeable calcium content, which is thought to be related to the use of livestock manure. The orchard soils heavy metal content in 2018 was lower than the levels of Soil Contamination Warning Standard. As a result of comparing the correlation between soil organic matter and heavy metal (Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cr, Ag, Hg) content, all of the heavy metals, except Pb, showed positive correlation. In particular, Cd, Cu, Zn showed high positive correlation. In fruit tree nutrient management, the dependence of compost and organic fertilizers is higher than that of other crops. As these organic inputs have different characteristics of nutrient supply and accumulation from chemical fertilizers, soil testing is necessary for better fertilization management.

Chemical properties of orchard soils in Jeonnam province.