Soil nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus and lucerne conversion to wheat or fallow in the loess Plateau of China

Issue Date

12-2011

Abstract

The introduction of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) into the agricultural systems on the Loess Plateau of improve the sustainability of agriculture and environment. Extensive investigation has revealed Iucerne's role in affecting soil water status. However, further China has proved to be an excellent way to exploration of the changes in soil nitrogen (N), carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) after lucerne removal is still required. This study investigated the changes of such elements following 4 years of lucerne performance to assess the influence of wheat cultivation or fallow after lucerne removal on soil fertility, compared with continuous lucerne. Soil mineral N, organic C, and available P were sensitive to cultivation techniques and years, while soil total N and total P were different between two soil layers. Soil mineral N and available P tended to fluctuate with years under continuous lucerne, while soil organic C increased with years in the shallower soils but decreased in the deeper soils. The operation of fallow after lucerne removal led to soil nitrate N and available P accumulation due to the lack of plant utilisation of nutrients potentially resulting in soil N and P leaching. Wheat cultivation after lucerne removal led to the depletion of soil mineral N in both soil layers. Although there was no consistent change, the results indicated that soil fertility can be enhanced within 4 years of lucerne performance, and the efficiency of nutrient utilisation may be promoted under wheat cultivation after lucerne removal.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Crop Science

ISSN

0115-463x

Volume

36

Issue

3

Page

28-33

Document Type

Article

College

College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS)

Physical Description

tables, references

Language

English

Subject

continuous lucerne, cultivation technique, lucerne-fallow, lucerne-wheat, soil fertility, soil quality

En – AGROVOC descriptors

MEDICAGO SATIVA; NITROGEN CONTENT; CARBON COMPOUNDS; FALLOW SYSTEMS; SOIL FERTILITY

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