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Changes in the subsoil of long‐term trials in Halle (Saale), Germany, caused by mineral fertilization
Author(s) -
Garz Joachim,
Schliephake Wilfried,
Merbach Wolfgang
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of plant nutrition and soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 1436-8730
DOI - 10.1002/1522-2624(200012)163:6<663::aid-jpln663>3.0.co;2-x
Subject(s) - subsoil , plough , lime , loess , human fertilization , leaching (pedology) , chemistry , mineralogy , agronomy , environmental science , geology , soil science , soil water , geomorphology , paleontology , biology
Four long‐term mineral fertilization trials (50 years) on a Haplic Phaeozem derived from sandy loess were conducted. Fertilization caused changes to the plough layer (0—25 cm) and to the undisturbed subsoil. Without lime, most remarkable acidification occurred in the plough layer, but only slight effects were evident in the subsoil. Where lime was applied, a considerable amount of Ca‐sulphate was formed. This leached out of the plough layer and accumulated throughout the profile, especially in dry years. Where fertilization was not adequate, there was a substantial contribution of K and P from the subsoil (mainly of its upper parts). Where the supply of these two elements continously exceeded their removal, a distinct increase of available K and P at depths of about 50 cm indicated transfer of both elements to the subsoil. Due to the high fixing capacity of both P and K in layers beneath 50 cm, leaching out of the rooting zone can be ignored. Mg and especially Na, applied with some of the fertilizers, were more mobile than K.