Concept of soil fertility and soil productivity: evaluation of agricultural sites in the Czech Republic

Abstract

This paper describes the methods used to assess soil fertility and model soil productivity for agricultural land in the Czech Republic. The assessment is based on the obtained crop yields and the various factors that influence those yields. These factors incorporate the physical characteristics of the soil, the climate and the applied agricultural practices. They have been quantified from monitoring ∼500 homogeneous plots of land covering a total area of 9200 ha since 2002. Soil productivity has been modelled using crop yield and crop production functions. A linear production function has been developed through factor analysis. The presented example details wheat production under average conditions for the Czech Republic. It is possible to use the crop production function to improve our understanding of the soil system, as well as for better identification of soil characteristics for economic and environmental purposes.

Keywords:

• soil productivity
• soil fertility
• crop yield
• wheat
• crop production function

Acknowledgements

This paper was written within the framework of Project QH72257 (Evaluation of Agricultural Land Resources with Respect to the Protection of the Environment: 2007–2011).

Notes

1. Presentation at the International Conference on Soil Fertility and Soil Productivity, March 17–20, 2010, Humboldt Universität, Berlin, Germany.