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2026 Vol.59, Issue 1

Original research article

Effects of soil texture, crop type, and mounding on physical properties of greenhouse soils in Gyeong-buk Province from 2016 to 2024
Yeon-Gyu Jeong1*
,
Jong-Hee Shin2
,
Hye-Rin Jeong2
,
Jung-Gi Ryu1
1Senior Researcher, Gyeongsangbuk-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services, Daegu 41404, Korea
2Researcher, Gyeongsangbuk-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services, Daegu 41404, Korea
*Corresponding Author
28 February 2026. pp. 1-11
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Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the temporal and spatial variation in soil physical properties in greenhouse cultivation areas of Gyeongbuk Province, Korea. A total of 40 representative sites were surveyed across three periods (2016, 2020, and 2024), focusing on plowing depth, bulk density, porosity, penetration resistance, organic matter content, and soil texture. Soil physical conditions were further compared according to soil texture (sandy loam vs. silty loam), major cultivated crops (watermelon, cucumber, and strawberry), and mounding status. The results showed progressive deterioration of topsoil properties, with plowing depth decreasing from 23.2 cm in 2016 to 19.8 cm in 2024, accompanied by lower air porosity and increased bulk density. In contrast, subsoil properties such as penetration resistance and porosity improved slightly, possibly due to repeated organic matter inputs and deep tillage. Notably, silty loam soils and strawberry fields exhibited lower porosity and organic matter content, indicating higher levels of compaction and physical constraint. In comparison, sandy loam soils and watermelon fields maintained more favorable conditions, likely reflecting differences in management intensity and organic inputs. soil mounding demonstrated lower bulk density and higher air porosity demonstrated lower bulk density and higher air porosity; however, they also contained less organic matter and clay, which may compromise long-term structural stability. These findings underscore the importance of site-specific soil management strategies such as expanding organic amendments, practicing deep tillage, and regularly monitoring physical indicators to sustain soil health and productivity in greenhouse systems. The study provides baseline data to support tailored soil management and long-term sustainability in intensively cultivated greenhouse areas.

Soil physical properties by soil texture in greenhouse cultivation areas of Gyeongbuk (2024).
Soil texture Soil layer PD1 (cm) BD2 (Mg m-3) Porosity (%) Sand (%) Silt (%) Clay (%) Hardness (mm) OM3 (g kg-1)
All soil (40) TS4 19.8 (5.9) 1.22 (0.15) 53.8 (5.6) 52.8 (14.5) 29.3 (10.1) 17.9 (5.1) - 35.1 (15.3)
SS5 1.28 (0.15) 51.8 (5.5) 52.5 (13.9) 29.5 (9.8) 18.0 (5.0) 13.2 (2.6) 32.3 (15.4)
Sandy loam (24) TS 19.7 (5.4) 1.18 (0.15) 55.5 (5.5) 60.0 (11.3) 25.4 (9.4) 14.6 (2.6) - 37.3 (16.4)
SS 1.26 (0.16) 52.4 (6.2) 59.6 (10.7) 25.7 (9.0) 14.8 (2.3) 13.2 (3.1) 34.0 (16.5)
Silty loam (16) TS 19.8 (6.3) 1.29 (0.13) 51.3 (4.7) 42.0 (11.1) 35.2 (8.2) 22.8 (3.9) - 31.7 (12.7)
SS 1.30 (0.11) 50.9 (4.2) 42.0 (11.1) 35.1 (8.3) 22.9 (3.8) 13.1 (1.5) 29.8 (13.3)

1PD, plowing depth

2BD, bulk density

3OM, organic matter

4TS, topsoil

5SS, sub-surface soil

Data are overall means (standard deviation).

Keywords
Greenhouse cultivation
Soil physical properties
Soil texture
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국토양비료학회
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국토양비료학회 학회지
  • Volume : 59
  • No :1
  • Pages :1-11
  • Received Date : 2025-08-01
  • Revised Date : 2025-12-02
  • Accepted Date : 2025-12-03
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2026.59.1.001
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