Abstract

Within-field variations in plant-available soil nitrogen are likely to be affected by differences in soil characteristics. To study this, a 3-year field investigation was conducted during 1998-2000 on a 15-ha arable field in Sweden with considerable within-field soil texture variability. In 34 plots soil nitrogen uptake by crops, net nitrogen mineralisation (Nm) during the growing season and soil mineral nitrogen in spring and shortly after harvest were determined. Beside these parameters, topography, soil organic matter content (SOM), clay content, pH(H2O) and grain yield were recorded. The variations in Nm were considerably large both within the field and between years. The within-field variation in Nm could partly be explained by the variation in SOM and clay content (r2adj = 0.23***). The pattern in Nm differed between years, partly due to seasonal variations in soil moisture. For these reasons, the pattern of Nm is difficult to predict without seasonal adjustments

Keywords

available soil nitrogen; clay; grain yield; nitrogen mineralization; soil organic matter; topography; within-field variability

Published in

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B - Soil and Plant Science
2003, Volume: 2002, 52, pages: 78-85
Publisher: Taylor & Francis

SLU Authors

• Linden, Börje

  • Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Delin, Sofia

  • Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
Agricultural Science


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/501