Abstract

Four field experiments were carried out on cultivated shallow fen pear overlying acid gyttja (lake mud) soil. The accessibility of the generally ample supply of physically available water was restricted by a limited root depth caused by low pH and high levels of aluminium in the subsoil. In order to improve the nutrient status and the crop water supply of the soils liming, deep cultivation, P-fertilization and irrigation were tested in field experiments comprising these four main treatments and their combinations. Liming and P-fertilization of the topsoil, irrigation and deep cultivation in combination with deep liming improved crop yields. Deep cultivation without liming had a negative effect on yield in most years.

Keywords

organic soils; gyttja; deep ploughing; liming; irrigation; phosphorus fertilizers; Sweden

Published in

Soil Use and Management
1996, volume: 12, number: 4, pages: 169-175
Publisher: C A B INTERNATIONAL

Authors' information