Temporal and Spatial Stability of Soil Test Parameters Used in Precision Agriculture

Abstract

Variable‐rate technology provides crop producers with the opportunity to vary the crop and soil management practices. The objective of this study was to assess the temporal and spatial stability of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), pH, and soil organic matter (OM) for precision nutrient management. This study was conducted over three growing seasons on a continuous maize (Zea Mays L.) production field in northeastern Colorado, USA. Soil samples were collected using a soil sample grid size of 76.2 m×76.2 m. The field was classified into areas of low, medium, and high productivity potential management zones. Spatial statistical analysis was performed. Measured soil parameters varied significantly over space and time (p<0.01). Management zones were effective in identifying homogenous subregions within the field across time (p<0.01). The data suggest that management zones account for spatial and temporal variability for the various soil parameters evaluated in this study.     

Impact of manure application on forms and quantities of phosphorus in a Chinese Cambisol under different land use

Purpose

It is critical to understand the effect of manure application on the availability of phosphorus (P) and the potential environmental contamination by runoff and leaching. However, previous studies generally focused on cultivated soil layer in single cropping systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of manure application on soil P forms and quantities to the 200 cm depth in a Chinese alkaline Cambisol in different cropping systems and the potential environmental implications.

Materials and methods

The sampling site, Shunyi District, is located in the peri-urban area of Beijing in the North China Plain, where large quantities of manure generated from intensive animal operations have been applied to agricultural fields. A field survey was carried out before sampling to identify soil sampling sites with long-term manure application and an adjacent area receiving no manure used for the same crop production. Soil samples from three cropping systems (vegetables, cereals, and trees) were vertically collected to a depth of 200 cm with the following depth increments: 0–20, 20–60, 60–90, 90–120, 120–160 and 160–200 cm. Soil samples were analyzed for plant-available P (Olsen P) and various P fractions by sequential P fractionation. Degree of P saturation (DPS) was also determined.

Results and discussion

Soil calcium bound P was the most abundant P fraction, followed by the residual P. Organic P only accounted for less than 5 % of total P in most of the soils. Manure application increased the levels of inorganic P (Pi), with higher proportions of Pi in labile forms than stable forms. After manure application for 8–15 year, available P (Olsen P) and DPS values of the 0–20 cm layer in all sites exceeded the threshold for Olsen P (60 mg?kg^?1) and DPS (30 %) and the risk of P loss by runoff is expected to significantly increase. The DPS values were generally lower than 30 % below 20 cm, indicating a minimal risk of P loss via leaching from deeper soil.

Conclusions

The results indicated that in typical peri-urban areas of the North China Plain, the on-going practice of manure application not only increased the size of each of the labile and non-labile P pools, but also caused a shift in the relative sizes of the different pools, regardless of the cropping systems. However, contrary to what was expected, soil P loss through surface runoff would be a greater concern than leaching following long-term manure amendment.     

Nutrient constraint of rainfed rice production in foot slope soil of Guinea Forest in Côte d’Ivoire

Soil nutrient deficiencies can affect rice yield and grain mineral content wherever they occur, but an understanding of their effect on upland rice production in humid forest zone of West Africa is still limited. Therefore, a nutrient omission trial was conducted on foot slope soil in 2003, 2004 and 2005 in Côte d’Ivoire using rice variety WAB 56–104. The effect on rice grain yield (GY) and nutrient content of complete fertilizer (Fc with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn)) was compared with Fc from which a specific nutrient was excluded (Fc – N, Fc – P, Fc – K, Fc – Ca, Fc – Mg and Fc – Zn). Before the trial, soil K (0.10 cmol kg^?1) and Mg (0.20 cmol kg^?1) contents were suitable, but available P-Bray I (4.2 mg kg^?1) was found to be deficient. In course of the study, K, Mg and P deficiencies were observed. An antagonistic effect was observed between rice GY and grain concentrations in P, Mg and Ca for treatments Fc – Mg, Fc – P and Fc – K, respectively. Therefore, the use of P, K and Mg fertilizers is recommended for successive cropping seasons in order to rich stable and high rice yield while decreasing of grain concentrations in P, Mg and Ca can be observed.     

土壤速效养分空间变异研究

选择山西省一年两作和一年一作两种种植制度下的两个自然村作为试点,通过网格方法采取土样,应用土壤养分系统研究法进行了养分分析,并应用传统统计学和半方差函数对土壤养分变异进行了研究。结果表明,不同种植制度下,土壤养分性质均存在着空间变异,受农业传统施肥措施影响较大的N、P和OM,变异相对较大;而Ca、Mg、K、Cu、Fe、Mn等养分,传统施肥投入较少,土壤变异相对较小;土壤养分性质存在半方差结构,拟合模型包括球型、线型和指数型,但同一养分拟合半方差模型不尽相同。即使模型一致,最大相关距离也不一样,而且空间变异性强弱程度也不尽相同。Ca、N、Mn显示有较强的空间相关性,K、P、S显示具有中等的空间相关性。     

Characterization of Spatial Variability of Soil Parameters in Apple Orchards of Himalayan Region Using Geostatistical Analysis

ABSTRACT

Knowledge of spatial variability in soil properties is critical for effective nutrient management plan in crop production. Poor productivity of apple orchards in Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is due to lack of information on the variability of soil properties important for enhancing productivity in the region. The study was conducted in apple orchards with the hypothesis that spatial variability of soil properties is high due to adoption of varied management and passive soil factors. The major objectives of the study were to assess the spatial variability of soil parameters, viz. soil pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon along with plant available soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), exchangeable calcium (Ca), and exchangeable magnesium (Mg) at a regional scale through geostatistical methods. Coefficient of variation (CV) indicated that the fertility parameters varied from medium to high in heterogeneity (CV > 20%). Available N was found critical/medium in 69.6% of soil samples and might be one of the limiting nutrients for crop growth, P and K were in high, and OC in very high range. Significant correlation was found between OC with N; pH with K, Ca and Mg and EC with OC, P and K. The semivariogram parameters indicated that the spatial distribution of soil fertility parameters were inconsistent and showed strong to weak degree of spatial dependence for all parameters. The study highlighted the importance of delineation of soil fertility management zones in the apple growing region as a guide for precise and site-specific nutrient.     

江西省油菜土壤碳氮磷生态化学计量学空间变异性及影响因素

运用经典统计学和地统计学分析方法,探讨了江西省油菜种植区土壤碳氮磷生态化学计量特征的空间变异性及影响因素。结果表明:江西省油菜土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)和全磷(TP)平均含量分别为16.99,1.44,0.50g/kg,土壤C∶N、C∶P和N∶P平均值分别为12.28,38.31和3.27,土壤总体C∶N∶P为33.86∶2.88∶1,整体处于相对较低水平,表现出中等程度的变异性和空间自相关性,其空间变异特征受到结构性因素和随机性因素的共同影响,但受结构性因素影响更大。从空间分布规律看,土壤SOC、TN和TP含量均表现出东北高西南低的空间分布格局。土壤C∶N高值区主要分布在赣北地区,分布面积较小,低值区主要分布在赣西、赣西北、赣西南以及赣东等地区。土壤C∶P与N∶P高值区零星分布在赣西南、赣东北等区域;低值区主要分布在赣西北及赣南地区。回归分析表明,成土母质、土壤类型、地形因子、气候条件、种植制度和氮肥施用量对研究区土壤C∶N、C∶P和N∶P空间变异特征有极显著影响(P0.01);成土母质对土壤C∶N、C∶P和N∶P空间变异的独立解释能力分别为16.6%,3.7%和7.0%,地形因子的独立解释能力分别为3.5%,2.9%和4.2%,种植制度的独立解释能力分别为9.7%,4.4%和7.6%,氮肥施用量的独立解释能力分别为3.9%,4.4%和7.6%,土壤类型和气候条件独立解释能力最高,分别为16.8%,5.1%,9.0%和13.4%,9.8%,15.2%,是调控江西省油菜土壤C∶N、C∶P和N∶P空间变异最主要的影响因素。     

Film fully-mulched ridge-furrow cropping affects soil biochemical properties and maize nutrient uptake in a rainfed semi-arid environment

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of plastic mulched ridge-furrow cropping on soil biochemical properties and maize (Zea mays L.) nutrient uptake in a semi-arid environment. Three treatments were evaluated from 2008 to 2010: no mulch (narrow ridges with crop seeded next to ridges), half mulch (as per no mulch, except narrow ridges were mulched), and full mulch (alternate narrow and wide ridges, all mulched with maize seeded in furrows). Compared to the no mulch treatment, full mulch increased maize grain yield by 50% in 2008 and 25% in 2010, but reduced yield by 21% in 2009 after low precipitation in early growth. Half mulch had a similar grain yield to no mulch in the three cropping years, suggesting half mulch is not an effective pattern for maize cropping in the area. Mulch treatments increased aboveground nitrogen (N) uptake by 21?34% and phosphorus (P) uptake by 21?42% in 2008, and by 16?32% and 14?29%, respectively, in 2010; but in 2009 mulching did not affect N uptake and decreased P uptake. Soil microbial biomass and activities of urease, β-glucosidase and phosphatase at the 0?15 cm depth were generally higher during vegetative growth but lower during reproductive growth under mulch treatments than no mulch. Mulching treatments increased carbon (C) loss of buried maize residues (marginally by 5?9%), and decreased light soil organic C (15?27%) and carbohydrate C (12?23%) concentrations and mineralizable C and N (8?36%) at harvest in the 0?20 cm depth compared with no mulch, indicating that mulching promotes mineralization and nutrient release in soil during cropping seasons. As a result of these biological changes, mineral N concentration under mulch was markedly increased after sowing in upper soil layers compared with no mulch. Therefore, our results suggest that mulched cropping stimulated soil microbial activity and N availability, and thus contributed to increasing maize grain yield and nutrient uptake compared with no mulch.     

梁子湖湿地土壤养分的空间异质性

2003年10月利用地统计学方法对梁子湖湿地保护区内一块63.9km2区域的土壤养分的空间变异进行了研究。以400m400m的网格采集了101个表层(015cm)土壤样品。分析结果表明,土壤养分有较大的空间变异,土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、速效氮变异系数分别是36.0%、30.6%1、3.7%和29.3%;速效磷的变异系数最高为50.4%。土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、速效氮和速效磷的理论模型均为球状模型。土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、速效氮具有中等空间自相关性,随机变异分别是68.5%、68.3%、75%和71.5%;速效磷的自空间相关性较弱,变异为82.4%。5种养分的空间自相关距离比较接近,变程在2853m～963m之间。通过克里格插值进行土壤养分空间插值制图显示,土壤养分表现出空间分布的相似性。     

黄土区村级农田土壤养分空间变异特征研究

本研究选择黄土高原地区陕西省新集村为研究对象。在219hm2耕地上用网格法采集364个表层(0~20 cm)土壤,研究了该村土壤pH,有机质和速效养分(N,P,K,Ca,Mg,S)空间变异性。结果表明:该村98.9%耕地缺N,缺K,缺P比例占11.5%和4.4%。地统计学分析结果表明:土壤有机质、有效N、P、K、Mg、Ca、S具有中等的空间相关性,空间变异程度依次为:OM>P>Ca>K>Mg>N>S,土壤pH的空间相关性很弱。有机质、有效N、S最大相关距离大,达到1853m,pH值最小,为148m,K、Ca、P、Mg最大相关距离分别为717m、720m、1032m和1344m。施肥是导致该村土壤养分空间变异性的主要原因。基于土壤养分状况和空间分布特征,目前仅需要考虑对该村土壤K,P进行分区管理。     

Comparison of Two Soil Phosphorus Analytical Methods in Croatia

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to compare soil phosphorus (P) extraction by sodium bicarbonate solution (Olsen P) and by ammonium lactate (AL P) and to create a model for prediction of Olsen P using ordinary soil‐fertility control data. The soils data used in this study included Olsen P, pH_KCl, pH_H2O, organic matter, AL P, and AL K. Soil pH_KCl ranged from 3.5 to 8, organic matter up to 5%, AL K up to 400 mg kg^?1, and AL P up to 200 mg kg^?1. Olsen P and AL P were significantly correlated, and the difference between them was influenced by soil pH. Regression models included all soil data grouped by soil pH range, which significantly decreased the difference between predicted and measured Olsen P. The validation of the model was conducted on new data sets from field fertilization trials. The results show that Olsen P can be related to AL P and used for fertilizer recommendations instead of AL P.     

The spatial variability of soil nitrates in arable and pasture landscapes: implications for the development of geographical information system models of nitrate leaching

Abstract. In response to the European Community Nitrate Directive (91/676) a catchment scale Geographical Information System (GIS) model of nitrate leaching has been developed to map nitrate vulnerability and predict average weekly fluxes of nitrate from agricultural land units to surface water. This paper presents a pilot study which investigated the spatial variability of soil nitrates in order to: (1) define an appropriate pixel size for modelling N leaching; (2) quantify the within-unit variability of soil nitrate concentrations for pasture and arable fields; and (3) assist in the design of an efficient sampling strategy for estimating mean nitrate concentrations. Soil samples, taken from two 800 m transects in early September 1994, were analysed for water soluble nitrate. The arable soils had a mean nitrate-nitrogen concentration of 0.693 μg/g (S.E. 0.054 μg/g) and the pasture soils had a higher mean nitrate-nitrogen concentration of 0.86 μg/g (S.E. 0.085 μg/g). Spatial variability was investigated using variograms. The pasture data had a weak spatial relationship, whereas the arable data exhibited a strong spatial relationship which fitted a spherical variogram model (r² 0.87), with a range of 40 m. A pixel size of 40 m is suggested for nitrate modelling within the GIS based on the arable variogram and an improved sampling strategy for model validation is suggested, involving bulking sub-samples over a 40 m grid for estimating mean nitrate concentrations in combined land use and soil units.     

Nutrient Budgeting as an Approach to Assess and Manage the Impacts of Long-Term Irrigation Using Abattoir Wastewater

Disposal and management of abattoir wastewater have been a long-term concern in a high meat-consuming country like Australia. Land-based application of wastewater is considered to be the most economically viable disposal method and is widely used by abattoirs. In this study, we assessed the effects of long-term abattoir wastewater irrigation on soil physical and chemical characteristics of calcareous soils. Soil samples were collected from 16 different locations with seven 5 cm depths intervals down to 35 cm. Soil properties including soil type, bulk density, moisture holding capacity, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), carbon (C) and micronutrients were measured. Soil characteristics were compared with non-irrigated soils. The study area receives annually about 327 ML of wastewater with high concentration of N and P (186 and 30.4 mg/L). Overall, the site retained 0.6 t N/ha, 0.1 t P/ha and 0.4 t of K per hectare. Irrigation for over a decade onto the study site has caused a significant change in the soil fertility. Soil total N was increased by 82% compared to non-irrigated. Similarly, soil total P concentration was increased more than sixfold. The overall results showed that the abattoir wastewater irrigation to soil caused very significant changes in soil nutrient levels. These changes indicate need to recapture the surplus nutrient, in particular N, to avoid potential leaching and off-site effects.     

Critical Limit of Extractable Phosphorous in a Gleysol for Rice Production in the Senegal River Valley of West Africa

Abstract

Soil‐test correlation and calibration, a useful tool for fertilizer recommendations, has been little used in West Africa. Soils from a long‐term fertility experiment have been used to study the relationship between rice yields and soil extractable phosphorus (P) with Bray 1 and Olsen methods. The Cate and Nelson graphical method was used for critical limits of soil P determination. The critical limits of soil extractable P at 95% relative grain yield were 9 mg P for the Bray 1P and 17 mg P kg^?1 for Olsen P. The Olsen P was more correlated (r=0.63) with rice grain yields than Bray P (r=0.50), but a strong correlation (r=0.92) was also observed between the values of the two methods. Results indicate that at levels less than these critical levels of extractable P, P fertilizers should be applied to increase rice yields.     

水土保持措施对坡耕地土壤养分时空变异影响

以水保林地、水平梯田及地埂植物带组成的水土保持措施体系和无水保措施布置坡耕地为研究对象,结合传统统计分析和ArcGIS地统计分析方法,研究不同深度土壤养分随时间及空间(垂直和水平)变化特征。结果表明,(1)所选研究区内土壤有机质、全氮、全磷和有效磷含量均随着土层深度的增加而降低,同一坡位高度,有水土保持措施坡耕地土壤养分含量比无措施坡耕地高,且土壤养分在垂直方向上相对均匀分布。(2)从各水土保持措施对不同深度土壤养分含量的影响来看,在水土保持体系内,0~15 cm和15~30 cm土壤有机质含量依次为:水保林地>水平梯田>地埂植物带,全氮、全磷和有效磷含量依次为:地埂植物带>水平梯田>水保林地。在无措施对照区,土壤有机质、全氮和有效磷含量两层次均顺坡逐渐增高,而全磷两层次分布均呈:中坡位无措施区>下坡位无措施区>上坡位无措施区。不同深度土壤有机质、全氮、全磷和有效磷含量均随月份变化先增加后损失,但其变化程度因水土保持措施不同而不同。(3)经统计分析表明,水土保持措施区0~15 cm土壤有机质和全氮变异系数大于无措施对照区,但土壤全磷和有效磷变异系数正好相反;无措施对照区15~30 cm土壤有机质、全氮、全磷和有效磷变异系数大于水土保持措施区。水土保持措施与不同深度土壤养分之间均呈极显著正相关关系,0~15 cm和15~30 cm土壤全氮和有效磷之间均呈显著正相关,而0~15 cm和15~30 cm其他各指标关系间均呈极显著正相关关系。     

Spatial variability of soil properties and wheat yields in an irrigated field

Abstract

An irrigated farmer's field at Hafizabad village in Dera Ismail Khan District of Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan was sampled at a regular grid spacing of 50x15 m from surface (15 cm) to study the spatial variability of soil properties and wheat yield. The farm measured 250x75 m. Soil samples collected were analyzed for soil pH, lime content, organic matter, mineral nitrogen (N), ammonium bicarbonate (AB)‐DTPA‐extractable phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), and soil texture. A uniformly trial on wheat with a uniform rate of 120 kg N ha^‐1, 90 kg P₂O₅ ha^‐1, and 60 kg K₂O ha^‐1 was laid out. The results showed that the soil P had the highest coefficient of variation (CV 46%) followed by organic matter (36.20%) and clay content (33.81%). Grain yield had also a considerable variation in the field (CV=31.84%). Geostatistical technique of semivariogram analysis showed that mineral N, AB‐DTPA‐extractable K, sand, silt, and clay content had the strong spatial structure. Maps of soil fertility and crop productivity of the farm was prepared using modern geostatistical technique of kriging. The farm was divided into different management zones based on these maps for fertility management.     

Appraisal for site specific plant nutrient management through spatial variability and mapping in hilly areas of northern Pakistan

Purpose

The main purpose of this research work was to assess soil nutrient, spatial variability, and their mapping through GIS for better fertilizer recommendation and management.

Materials and methods

Soil samples (0–20-cm depth) were collected from major crop areas of district Chitral, northern Pakistan during April 2014. The crops areas were divided into eight main sampling units. Each sampling location was recorded through GPS point. The samples were then brought to laboratory of Soil and Environmental Sciences, for further analysis.

Results and discussion

The overall results showed that Zn content was the most deficient nutrient followed by K with 86 and 64% of samples, respectively. These results are different from other plain and agricultural areas which are dominantly deficient in order of N > P > K that could be associated to steep topography, climatic condition, and parent materials. The analyzed nutrients varied independently as indicated by their lower correlation values but showed stronger spatial patterns. Gaussian, linear, and exponential models were used depending on mean prediction error (MPE), root mean square standardize prediction error (RMSSPE), and nugget values for semivariogram analysis and consequent mapping of different nutrients through GIS.

Conclusions

The N and P were weakly distributed, while K and all micronutrients had strong spatial pattern suggesting that only N and P were managed during farming practices and that varied irregularly in the sampled area. In contrast to other plain agricultural areas of the country, the Zn and K were the most deficient elements and should be applied with suitable Zn and K fertilizers for optimum crop production in the area. This low Zn and K contents would be associated to the parent materials, low pH, and high organic matter contents especially in high altitude and comparatively high P content in the soil. The prepared maps can help on site-specific recommendation of fertilizers for farmers, researcher, and planners.

     

Long-term effect of straw and farmyard manure on soil organic matter in field experiment in the Czech Republic

The effect of long-term (45 years) mineral and organic fertilization on soil organic matter (SOM) quantity (organic C and N content) and quality (hot-water-soluble C content, microbial biomass C content, hydrophobic organic components of SOM, soil enzyme activities) was determined in a field experiment established in Trutnov (North Bohemia, sandy loam, Eutric Cambisol). Six treatments were chosen for investigation: unfertilized control, mineral fertilization (NPK), straw N, farmyard manure (FYM) and straw and FYM completed with mineral NPK. Soil samples were taken from the arable layer (0–20 cm) in spring over the period of 2004–2010. The positive effect of FYM on the total organic C and N content, hot-water-soluble C content and hydrophobic organic components of SOM was more than 50% higher than that of straw and mineral N fertilization. Application of straw N increased microbial biomass C content in soil and generated invertase activity above the level of FYM. Hot-water-soluble C content, hydrophobic organic components of SOM and urease activity were positively correlated with total organic C and N content (R = 0.58–0.98; p < 0.05). Addition of mineral NPK to both the straw and FYM emphasized the effect of organic fertilization in most of monitored characteristics.     

Fertilizer micro-dosing increases crop yield in the Sahelian low-input cropping system: A success with a shadow

Over the years, a scarcity of information on nutrient gains or losses has led to overemphasis being placed on crop yields and economic income as the direct benefits from fertilizer micro-dosing technology. There is increasing concern about the sustainability of this technology in smallholder Sahelian cropping systems. This study was designed in the 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons to establish nutrient balances under fertilizer micro-dosing technology and their implications on soil nutrient stocks. Two fertilizer micro-dosing treatments [2 g hill^?1 of diammonium phosphate (DAP) and 6 g hill^?1 of compound fertilizer Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (NPK) (15-15-15)] and three rates of manure (100 g hill^?1, 200 g hill^?1 and 300 g hill^?1) and the relevant control treatments were arranged in a factorial experiment organized in a randomized complete block design with three replications. On average, millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) grain yield increased by 39 and 72% for the plots that received the fertilizer micro-dosing of 6 g NPK hill^?1 and 2 g DAP hill^?1, respectively, in comparison with the unfertilized control plots. The average partial nutrients balances for the two cropping seasons were ?37 kg N ha^?1yr^?1, ?1 kg P ha^?1yr^?1 and ?34 kg K ha^?1yr^?1 in plots that received the application of 2 g DAP hill^?1, and ?31 kg N ha^?1yr^?1, ?1 kg P ha^?1yr^?1 and ?27 kg K ha^?1yr^?1 for 6 g NPK hill^?1. The transfer of straw yields accounted for 66% N, 55% P and 89% K for removal. The average full nutrient balances for the two cropping seasons in fertilizer micro-dosing treatments were ?47.8 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1, ?6.8 kg P ha^?1 yr^?1 and ?21.3 kg K ha^?1 yr^?1 which represent 7.8, 24.1 and 9.4% of N, P and K stocks, respectively. The nutrient stock to balance ratio (NSB) for N decreased from 13 to 11 and from 15 to 12 for the plots that received the application of 2 g DAP hill^?1 and 6 g NPK hill^?1, respectively. The average NSB for P did not exceed 5 for the same plots. It was concluded that fertilizer micro-dosing increases the risk of soil nutrient depletion in the Sahelian low-input cropping system. These results have important implications for developing an agro-ecological approach to addressing sustainable food production in the Sahelian smallholder cropping system.     

奉新毛竹林土壤养分空间变异性研究

利用地统计学的半方差函数,定量研究了奉新县平衡施肥毛竹林的土壤养分空间变异特征。结果表明,毛竹林土壤养分存在半方差结构,多数为球状模型。奉新毛竹林土壤的变程为32～398.m,取样距离15～20.m,能满足毛竹林土壤空间变异评价的要求。N、P、K等养分的空间相关性小,人为经营、施肥等措施对土壤速效N、P、K的影响大于Ca、B、Fe、Mg等养分。奉新毛竹林土壤养分的分数维值排列顺序为:Cu>Mn>全P>Zn>P>N>Fe>K>Mg>S>OM>Ca>B>全K>全N。施肥时间长对于养分的空间分布均匀性有调和、促进作用。毛竹林土壤养分结构性变异大于随机变异,土壤内在属性(土壤矿物和地形)比人为因素(栽培管理水平和施肥措施)的影响大。     

What soil information do crop advisors use to develop nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for grain growers in New South Wales,Australia?

The Australian grains industry relies on mineralized nitrogen (N) from soil organic matter and plant residues, but fertilizer N is increasingly needed to optimize yields. Most farmers are guided on N fertilizer requirements by commercial crop advisors. We surveyed (n = 132) and interviewed (n = 11) New South Wales grains advisors to gauge the usage of soil process understanding, soil data and decision support systems (DSSs) when developing N recommendations. Soil moisture at sowing, seasonal forecasts, crop rotation, soil mineral N, financial risk profiles and paddock history were all used to prepare N fertilizer advice, but stored soil moisture was most important. Farmer confidence in soil N testing was low due to high spatial variability. Most advisors calculated N fertilizer required for yields within 10%–15% of crop potential, but clients’ attitude to financial risk guided final N recommendations. Conservative growers preferred a low input system, while more reliable rainfall or greater reliance on stored soil water led growers to apply higher N rates to maximize long‐term profits. Advisors preferred “rules‐of‐thumb,” simple DSSs and knowledge of crop growth, to elaborate DSSs requiring detailed inputs and soil characterization. Few used in‐crop N sensing. N decision methodologies need to be updated to account for changes in soil fertility, cropping systems and farming practices. New research is needed to answer practical questions regarding soil N mineralization and N losses associated with alternative N application practices and extreme weather events. Training of new advisors in N processes and DSS use needs to be ongoing.