Soil Nutrient Distribution Affected by Nitrogen Fertilization under Conventional Tillage System

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of nitrogen-fertilization management on soil nutrient distribution at different soil depths under conventional tillage in dryland rain-fed environment. Two nitrogen (N) application methods (single application with all N applied at planting and split application with 35 kg N ha⁻¹ applied at planting and remaining N applied at V6 growth stage) and five N rates (0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg N ha⁻¹) were utilized. Increasing soil depth decreased extractable phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) contents in the soil. The nitrate (NO₃)-N concentration in deeper soil was similar to the top layer as N fertilization was greater than 90 kg N ha⁻¹. It suggests that N application should be less than 90 kg ha⁻¹ to reduce the movement of excess N to deep soil layers and cause a potential negative impact on environment in this area.

Keywords:

• Dryland
• nitrogen fertilization
• soil depth
• soil nutrient distribution
• rain-fed environment