Estimation of Soil Quality of under Long Term Sugar Beet-wheat Cropping System by Factor Analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACTSoil quality is a measurement used to calculate how well the soil will perform its functions and ensures the assessment of soils based on their physical, chemical and biological characteristics. The aim of this study was to facilitate the determination of soil quality, with soil properties selected by multi-criteria application, in a shorter time compared to that of conventional soils tests. A soil quality index (SQI) was determined by measuring the soil parameters under laboratory and field conditions in lands where agriculture has been taking place for many years. Based on the results of the factor analysis the 12 soil characteristics were selected for assessing the SQIs of each of the soil samples. The SQI results determined from physical, chemical, and biological soil properties with regards to total weight was calculated as 35.96%, 33.92%, and 30.12%, respectively. Based on the results of this study, it was determined that only 4 physical, 5 chemical and 3 biological properties could be used to evaluate soil quality. The selected indicators can be used in subsequent studies for the assessment of soil quality in areas where intensive agriculture has been used for many years.