Soil Quality Characteristics as Affected by Continuous Rice Cultivation and Changes in Cropping Systems in South China

Xiangning Ren, Feixiang Chen, Tao Ma and Yueming Hu
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Xiangning Ren: College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Feixiang Chen: College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Tao Ma: College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Yueming Hu: College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China

Agriculture, 2020, vol. 10, issue 10, 1-11

Abstract: This study was conducted to elucidate how changes in critical soil quality characteristics relate to continuous rice cultivation and changes in cropping systems and fertilization in South China over the time span 1980 to 2017. Soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP) and potassium (AK) were determined for the samples taken in 2017 and compared to results from the paired samples collected in 1980 by grouping all samples into four cropping systems: continuous paddy fields, new paddy fields developed from uplands, continuous uplands, and new uplands developed from paddy soils. The results show a significant increase in soil pH, AP and AK in all cropping systems, which was, however, coupled with low fertilizer use efficiency. Additionally, a significant increase in SOM came with new paddy soils, whereas a little SOM accumulation and a significantly weakened correlation of TN to SOM occurred in continuous paddy soils. Both low fertilizer use efficiency and deteriorated soil C sequestration function imply a sub-health status of continuous paddy soils. The changes in cropping systems and fertilization, which essentially resulted from expeditious economic growth, should be responsible for the dynamics of C and N and the consequences to soil quality. More experimental studies on balanced fertilization vs. local commonly used fertilization are suggested to probe the mechanisms underlying the C and N dynamics in paddy soils.

Keywords: CN ratio; carbon sequestration function; excessive fertilization; fertilizer use efficiency; paddy soil; soil organic matter (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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