| Abstract: | Within-field variations in plant-available soil nitrogen (N) are likely to be affected by differences in soil characteristics. To study this, a 3- year field investigation was conducted during 1998-2000 on a 15 ha arable field in Sweden with considerable within-field soil texture variability. In 34 plots soil N uptake by crops, net nitrogen mineralization (Nm) during the growing season and soil mineral N in spring and shortly after harvest were determined. Beside these parameters, topography, soil organic matter content (SOM), clay content, pH(H 2 O) and grain yield were recorded. The variations in Nm were considerably large both within the field and between years. The within-field variation in Nm could partly be explained by the variation in SOM and clay content (adjusted coefficient of determination = 0.23, P <0.001). The pattern in Nm differed between years, partly because of seasonal variations in soil moisture. For these reasons, the pattern of Nm is difficult to predict without seasonal adjustments. |
