Influence of long-term crop residue and fertilizer application on some chemical properties of an alfisol under arid environment

Abstract

The distribution patterns of some soil chemical properties of an alfisol were investigated following a long term (1983 – 1996, fourteen years) crop residues and fertilizer application in an arid environment. The investigation involved five treatment combinations: Control (-CR-F); Crop residue with no fertilizer addition (CR); no crop residue plus fertilizer addition (F), Crop residue plus fertilizer addition (CF+F) and fallow. The pH, exchangeable Ca, Mg, and acidity as well as effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) had irregular distribution pattern down the soil depth in all the treatments. Fertilizer application without crop residue addition (-CR+F) as well as continuous crop cultivation (-CR-F) had increased contents of soil total N, available, P, exchangeable Ca and acidity with increasing soil depth. Crop residue addition with (+CR+F) and without fertilizer application (+CR-F) and fallow resulted in reduced soil acidity. However, crop residue addition with fertilizer application (+CR+F) as well as depth of sampling significantly (P<0.05) affected all the parameters determined except exchangeable Na and ECEC. Enhanced soil fertility status can be achieved, and maintained in this environment, through continuous addition of crop residue with optimum fertilizer use.

Keywords: alfisol, arid environment, chemical properties, crop residue, fertilizer

Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 5(1) 2004: 1-6