Long‐term‐fertilization effects on soil organic carbon, physical properties, and wheat yield of a loess soil

• DOI: 10.1002/jpln.201000134
• Publication Date: 2011-07-01T10:58:05Z
• Authors: Xueyun Yang; Pingru Li; Shulan Zhang; Benhua Sun; Chen Xinping
• Keywords: Soil carbon

Abstract The large dryland area of the Loess Plateau (China) is subject developing strategies for a sustainable crop production, e.g., by modifications nutrient management affecting soil quality and productivity. A 19 y long‐term experiment was employed to evaluate effects fertilization regimes on organic C (SOC) dynamics, physical properties, wheat yield. SOC content in top 20 cm layer remained unchanged over time under unfertilized plot (CK), whereas it significantly increased both inorganic N, P, K fertilizers (NPK) combined manure (M) with NPK (MNPK) treatments. After 18 y, MNPK treatments higher than control 10 layers, respectively. MNPK‐treated retained significant more water CK at tension ranges from 0 0.25 kPa 8 33 0–5 layer. also markedly NPK‐treated soils tensions 0.75 100 300 10–15 There were no differences saturated hydraulic conductivity between three depths. In contrast, unsaturated lower depths cm. On average, yields similar treatment. Thus, considering soil‐quality conservation productivity, reasonably application better nutrient‐management option this rainfed wheat–fallow cropping system.