Soil productivity and its relation to the environment in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Based on the evaluation of data from agricultural operations of 60 enterprises in the period 2012–2016 on 339 516 ha, frequent increases in nutrient dosages for production are mainly in marginal areas where higher production than is equivalent to optimal production on the soil is required. In the production of crops, it is most manifest in the production of feed crops, which are often used for the continuous flow of livestock production and biogas stations. Because of the above-standard utilization of fertilizers, yields rise above the level corresponding to the standard conditions for soil–climatic conditions, but also to decrease the efficiency of fertilizer utilization and thus to overload the optimal soil productivity. In contrast, the standard use of fertilizers is reflected in winter wheat, grain corn, triticale, potatoes and rye. Because of the lower strength of the humus horizon in marginal areas, it can be assumed that by increased fertilization, the agricultural enterprises solve the lower sorption capacity of the soil. The overall finding is also a warning to the occupation of quality land for non-agricultural purposes because their intensification cannot be transferred into marginal areas with no environmental impact.