Effect of annual variation in soil pH on available soil nutrients in pear orchards

Abstract

Soil pH is an important factor affecting the availability of soil nutrients that impact plant growth. Given the susceptibility of soil pH to excessive fertilization and the widespread use of manures, it is essential to examine the influence of soil pH on the distribution and availability of soil nutrients. We sampled and analyzed brown soils from pear orchards in thirteen towns in Wendeng county. Samples were obtained from areas along or between rows of trees at specified distances and depths. The results showed that the soil pH fluctuated from 4.06 to 6.59 in October 2008 and from 4.24 to 7.57 in April 2009. The quantity of soil samples with pH below 5.50 increased by 34.6%. Analysis of the soil pH for samples obtained along the rows of trees showed that the pH decreased as the depth increased (except for the range 5.5 to 6.0); soil pH in the samples obtained between the rows of trees demonstrated different trends. The average organic matter (O.M.) content as well as the N ( NH 4 + ) and available P, K, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn contents in the samples collected in October 2008 were higher than those observed in April 2009. Conversely, the values for other available nutrients were lower than those in the samples collected in April 2009. The available nutrients and organic matter (O.M.) content in different pH ranges varied. The soil pH was significantly or very significantly correlated with N ( NH 4 + and NO 3 - ), available K, Cu, Fe, and exchangeable Ca for the October 2008 samples, while a significant or very significant correlation existed between N ( NH 4 + ), available P, Zn, exchangeable Ca, and exchangeable Mg for the April 2009 samples. The correlations between soil pH and the amounts of available nutrients and organic matter (O.M.) along the rows of trees in September 2009 were nearly consistent with those between the rows.