Comparison of the Surface Chemical Properties of Plastic Film House, Upland, and Orchard Soils in Gyeongbuk Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the soil fertility about plastic film house, upland, and orchard in Gyeongbuk Province, Korea. The surface chemical properties of soil samples were investigated every 4 year from 2000 year at upland, 2001 year at orchard, and 2002 year at plastic film house. During 12 year's monitoring, mean soil pH was increased by 0.7 and 0.8 pH unit from pH 5.7 in upland and orchard, respectively, 0.5 pH unit from pH 6.5 in plastic film house. About 50% of all the field samples occupied within the recommended pH range (pH 6-7). Although soil organic matter (SOM) was gradually increased by about <TEX>$10g\;kg^{-1}$</TEX> for 12 years, 40% of orchard, 49% of plastic film house, and 77% of upland soil samples were still below the 3% SOM. The mean concentration of available phosphate for 12 years in upland, orchard, and plastic film house were 530, 600, and <TEX>$760mg\;kg^{-1}$</TEX>, respectively. The relative frequencies exceeding the recommended available phosphate range (<TEX>$300-550mg\;kg^{-1}$</TEX>) were 43%, 53%, and 66% at upland, orchard, and plastic film house soils, respectively. <TEX>$NH_4OAc$</TEX> exchangeable <TEX>$K^+$</TEX> of upland, orchard, and plastic film house in the last soil test were 0.8, 0.9, and <TEX>$1.6cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$</TEX>, respectively. The relative frequencies above the recommended K level were 56% and 70% of orchard and plastic film house soil samples, respectively. The levels of crop nutrients except exchangeable Ca and Mg in upland soil were tended to increase gradually in the three fields. Exchangeable Mg, EC, available phosphate, organic matter and soil pH could be used as principle components to differentiate the chemical properties of three land fields. This analysis revealed that the soil fertility was affected by cropping method and field management, although additional research is needed to assess the importance of management on soil chemical properties and many fields indicate an opportunity for improvement in fertilizer management.