Long-term changes in soil fertility in hill country

It has been more than 10 years since the last comprehensive soil sampling of the long term phosphorus (P) fertiliser and sheep grazing farmlet study established at the AgResearch Ballantrae Hill Country Research Station in 1975. This paper reports the findings from a sampling in October 2014 of the soils in the farmlets that have had no fertiliser since 1980 (LFNF), received 125 kg/ha/year of superphosphate since 1980 (LFLF) or 375 kg/ha/year of superphosphate since 1980 (HFHF). Increases in total P levels in the soil reflect the differences in P inputs between the LFNF, LFLF and HFHF farmlets over the last 40 years. In sharp contrast total sulphur (S) levels in soils have showed little change, despite the large amounts of sulphur applied in superphosphate each year. Exchangeable calcium (Ca) levels have increased on the farmlets receiving fertiliser, reflecting the Ca inputs in superphosphate, while magnesium (Mg) levels are lower in the HFHF farmlet. Potassium has shown little change, with the exception of increases on low slope areas in the HFHF farmlet. Olsen P levels have not changed in the topsoil (0-75 mm) in the HFHF since the 2003 sampling, despite annual P inputs in excess of maintenance. The absence of any change might be explained by the finding that P is accumulating in large amounts in the 75-150 mm soil depths on low slopes in the HFHF farmlet. This finding was unexpected serving to highlight the insights these long-term experimental studies provide to both science and industry. Keywords: Long term fertiliser study, P fertiliser, Olsen P, soil fertility

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Long-term changes in soil fertility and pasture production under no, low and high phosphorus fertiliser inputs

Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association ◽

10.33584/jnzg.2011.73.2848 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 37-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A.D. Mackay ◽

M.G. Lambert

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Published Data ◽

Research Station ◽

Pasture Production ◽

Ongoing Research ◽

Hill Country ◽

Fertiliser Application ◽

Farm Business ◽

Stocking Rates

Many hill country farmers have struggled to maintain fertiliser inputs in recent years. The long-term fertiliser and sheep grazing farmlet study at the AgResearch Ballantrae Hill Country Research Station provides invaluable insights into the benefits of continued annual inputs of phosphorus (P) fertiliser on production levels and the farm business, and also the implications to the production system when fertiliser is withheld. Since detailed monitoring stopped in 1990, the fertiliser treatments have been maintained, along with nominal sheep stocking rates and grazing practices. Occasional measurements of soil fertility have also been made on the farmlets that have received either no fertiliser inputs for 30 years, a low annual fertiliser input (125 kg superphosphate (SSP)/ha/yr), or a high input (375 kg SSP/ha/yr) for 35 years. In this paper changes in sheep stocking rate and soil fertility are reported and compared with earlier published data from this longterm site. This field study provides a valuable resource for ongoing research into nutrient requirements and cycling in hill land environments, and a visual demonstration of the continued importance of fertiliser application as a driver of hill country production. Keywords: Livestock production, P fertiliser, Olsen P, long-term sites

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Long-term changes in paddy soil fertility in Peninsular Malaysia during 50 years after the Green Revolution with special reference to their physiographic environments

Soil Science & Plant Nutrition ◽

10.1080/00380768.2020.1840264 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Sota Tanaka ◽

Haruyoshi Saito ◽

Nao Kajiwara ◽

Tan Ngai Paing ◽

Khairul Hafiz Mohd Yusoff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Special Reference ◽

Paddy Soil ◽

Green Revolution ◽

Peninsular Malaysia ◽

Long Term Changes

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The Effects of Removing Sheep Grazing on Soil Chemistry, Above-Ground Nutrient Distribution, and Selected Aspects of Soil Fertility in Long-Term Experiments at Moor House National Nature Reserve

Journal of Applied Ecology ◽

10.2307/2404089 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 647 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

R. H. Marrs ◽

A. Rizand ◽

A. F. Harrison

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Soil Chemistry ◽

Nature Reserve ◽

Sheep Grazing ◽

Nutrient Distribution ◽

National Nature Reserve ◽

Long Term Experiments

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USING APSIM-MODEL AS A DECISION-SUPPORT-TOOL FOR LONG-TERM INTEGRATED-NITROGEN-MANAGEMENT AND MAIZE PRODUCTIVITY UNDER SEMI-ARID CONDITIONS IN KENYA

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479715000095 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 279-299 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M. OSCAR KISAKA ◽

M. MUCHERU-MUNA ◽

F. K. NGETICH ◽

J. N. MUGWE ◽

D. N. MUGENDI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Soil Fertility ◽

Soil Water ◽

Low Cost ◽

Mucuna Pruriens ◽

Mineral Fertilizers ◽

Research Station ◽

Area Index ◽

Positive Balance

SUMMARYThere is continued decline in per capita agricultural productivity in the drier parts of Kenya's central highlands. The declines have been linked to low and declining soil fertility, soil water, high atmospheric heat, prolonged dry-spells and erratic rainfall. Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies have been developed and tested in the region. Despite their significant impacts, high variability in local soils and climate contributes to large variations and inconsistency in research results among replications. Experimentation is expensive and limited to a few years, sites and scenarios. Crop-growth simulation models suitably complement experimental research, to support decision making regarding soil fertility and water management. This study evaluated the performance of the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model. APSIM was parameterized and calibrated based on a rain-fed randomized complete block trial (2009–2012) at a research station in Machang’a, Embu County. The study further reported on long-term effects of integrated Nitrogen (N) management from organic residues (goat manure, Lantana camara, Tithonia diversifolia and Mucuna pruriens) and their combination with mineral fertilizers in maize production. The model adequately reproduced the observed trends of maize leaf area index (LAI) and yield response to the test N amendments. Long-term simulations showed that application of 0, 20 and 40 Kg N ha−1 had low inter-seasonal variations (CV = 18–33%) in yields. High yield variability (CV > 56%) was observed in the application of 60 and 80 Kg N ha−1. Application of 40 Kg N ha−1 by combining mineral fertilizer and manure showed 80% chance of harvesting more than 2.5 Mg ha−1 of maize grain yield. Maize stover mulching at 5 and 6 Mg ha−1 with the same N application increased long-term guaranteed grain harvests to 3.5 Mg ha−1. This is when complemented with 90 Kg P ha−1. This integrated N and soil water management is thus recommended. For subsistence farming, low-cost recommendations are geared towards some ‘guaranteed’ yield stability each cropping season. This recommendation underpins low-cost technologies that reduce production risks among small-holder farmers who faced with intermittent financial problems, to improve food security. However, there is need to evaluate and verify that there is a positive balance of primary nutrients such as N, P and K in such a fertility and water management option. Its effects on C:N levels ought to be evaluated as well.

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Assessment of soil fertility status of Agriculture Research Station, Belachapi, Dhanusha, Nepal

Journal of Maize Research and Development ◽

10.3126/jmrd.v2i1.16214 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 43-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dinesh Khadka ◽

Sushil Lamichhane ◽

Shahabuddin Khan ◽

Sushila Joshi ◽

Buddhi Bahadur Pant

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Fertility ◽

Research Strategy ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Soil Sampling ◽

Future Research ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Research Station ◽

Fertility Status ◽

Soil Fertility Status

Soil test-based fertility management is important for sustainable soil management. This study was carried out to determine the soil fertility status of the Agriculture Research Station, Belachapi, Dhanusha, Nepal. Using soil sampling auger 25 soil samples were collected randomly from a depth of 0-20 cm. Soil sampling points were identified using GPS device. Following standard methods adopted by Soil Science Division laboratory, Khumaltar, the collected soil samples were analyzed to find out their texture, pH, N, P2O5, K2O, Ca, Mg, S, B, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and organic matter status. The soil fertility status maps were made using Arc-GIS 10.1 software. The observed data revealed that soil was grayish brown in colour and sub-angular blocky in structure. The sand, silt and clay content were 36.03±3.66%, 50.32±2.52% and 25.42±2.25%, respectively and categorized as eight different classes of texture. The soil was acidic in pH (5.61±0.14). The available sulphur (0.73±0.09 ppm) status was very low, whereas organic matter (1.34±0.07%), available boron (0.56±0.10 ppm), available zinc (0.54±0.22 ppm) and available copper (0.30±0.01 ppm) were low in status. The extractable potassium (95.52±13.37 ppm) and extractable calcium (1264.8±92.80ppm) exhibited medium in status. In addition, available phosphorus (33.25±6.97 ppm), available magnesium (223.20±23.65 ppm) and available manganese (20.50±2.43 ppm) were high in status. Furthermore, available iron (55.80±8.89 ppm) status was very high. To improve the potentiality of crops (maize, rice, wheat etc.) for studied area, future research strategy should be made based on its soil fertility status.

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Long term effects of withholding phosphate application on North Island hill country: Ballantrae

Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association ◽

10.33584/jnzg.1990.51.1912 ◽

1990 ◽

pp. 25-28 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M.G. Lambert ◽

D.A. Clark ◽

A.D. Mackay

Keyword(s):

Residual Activity ◽

Annual Rainfall ◽

Research Station ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Pasture Production ◽

Hill Country ◽

Phosphate Retention ◽

Reactive Phosphate Rock ◽

Average Annual Rainfall

In a farmlet grazing trial at DSIR's Ballantrae Hill Country Research Station near Woodville the effect of withholding phosphate application was investigated. Soils are yellow-brown earths and related steepland soils with low phosphate retention, and average annual rainfall is 1200 mm. Four 10 ha farmlets, 2 each with histories of high (HF) or low (LF) superphosphate application, had annual applications continued at 125 (LF-LF) or 375 (HFHF) kg/ha; or discontinued on one farmlet in each case (LF-NF and HF-NF), starting in 1981. Soil Olsen P level decreased on the HF-NF area, but not on LF-NF and pasture production decreased by 4.6 and 1.7% p.a. respectively. Botanical composition was affected only on the HF-NF farmlet. Ewes were lighter as a result of not applying fertiliser. Ewe and lamb wool production, and lamb liveweight, were reduced by an average 1.2, 3.7 and 2.6% p.a., respectively, over the 7 years. A phosphate application trial suggested that reactive phosphate rock was as effective as superphosphate in stimulating legume responses in the 1st year after restarting phosphate application, and had greater residual activity. Keywords fertiliser, withholding, cessation, phosphate, superphosphate, hill country, pastures, soil fertility, wool, sheep

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Modelling long-term changes in soil phosphorus and carbon under contrasting fertiliser and grazing management in New Zealand hill country

Journal of New Zealand Grasslands ◽

10.33584/jnzg.2019.81.397 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 171-178 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Franco Bilotto ◽

Ronaldo Vibart ◽

Alec Mackay ◽

Des Costall

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Soil Phosphorus ◽

National Level ◽

Transfer Model ◽

Soil C ◽

Hill Country ◽

C Stocks ◽

Long Term Changes

Soil carbon (C) stocks under permanent New Zealand pastures vary with slope and aspect due to differences in primary production, animal behaviour and nutrient return. An existing nutrient transfer model was extended using a web-based, general-purpose modelling tool to simulate long-term changes in soil phosphorus (P) and C in hill country under contrasting fertiliser and sheep stocking regimes. Three self-contained farmlets were examined: no P applied; 125 kg single superphosphate (SSP)/ha/year; and 375 kg SSP/ha/year, since 1980. The refined spatial model was able to simulate P and C distribution with varying slopes and aspects. For example, the mean annual changes in soil P and C were greater on low slopes and eastern aspects than on the other two slope and aspect positions, consistent with observed changes in these nutrients. However, the model overestimated changes in soil C, which highlighted both gaps in current knowledge and key factors influencing change in soil C stocks. Understanding the spatial patterns of soil C across the landscape will be critical in the design of soil C monitoring regimes, should soil C stocks be considered at a national level as a sink or source of CO2 emissions.

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Long-Term Effect of Fertilizer and Crop Residue on Soil Fertility in the Moldavian Plateau

Cercetari Agronomice in Moldova ◽

10.2478/v10298-012-0012-y ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 29-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

C. Ailincăi ◽

G. Jităreanu ◽

D. Bucur ◽

Despina Ailincăi

Keyword(s):

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Fertility ◽

Crop Residue ◽

Term Effect ◽

Mineral Fertilizers ◽

Research Station ◽

Organic Carbon Content ◽

Mineral Fertilization ◽

Long Term Effect

Long-Term Effect of Fertilizer and Crop Residue on Soil Fertility in the Moldavian Plateau Since 1965, at the Agricultural Research Station of Podu-Iloaiei, Iaşi County, Romania (47°12' N latitude, 27°16' E longitude), investigations were conducted on the influence of different fertilizer systems on production and soil fertility. For wheat and maize crops, placed in a three-year rotation (pea - wheat - maize), three fertilization systems were experienced: (1) mineral fertilization with nitrogen and phosphorus rates until N140P100; (2) manure fertilization (20, 40, and 60 t/ha), with and without mineral fertilization and (3) mineral fertilizers + hashed residue applied in autumn under the base ploughing. The paper presented the results of investigations concerning the influence of long-term fertilization (46 years) on some chemical characteristics of Cambic Chernozem from the Moldavian Plateau. The climatic conditions in the Moldavian Plain were characterized by annual mean temperature of 9.6°C and a mean rainfall amount, on 50 years, of 553.5 mm, of which 141.5 mm during September-December and 412.0 mm during January-August. After 46 years of experiences, in pea-wheat-maize crop rotation, the content of organic carbon from soil has decreased by 22.3% (4.2 g/kg soil) at the unfertilized control and by 14.4% (2.7 g/kg soil) at the rate of N120P80. In wheat and maize, nitrogen uptake by weeds was between 7 and 9.5 kg/ha from all the plots. Applying moderate rates of mineral fertilizers (N80P60), together with 6 t/ha wheat straw or 40 t/ha manure, has determined the increase in organic carbon content from soil by 0.5 and, respectively, 2.8 g/kg.

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