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Stratification of soil phosphorus, pH, and macro-cations under intensively cropped grass ley

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Abstract

The large amounts of nutrients applied to and removed from soil by intensive grass production may cause quick changes in the nutrient pools available to plants and exposed to leaching and runoff losses. Stratification of applied nutrients is especially important for phosphorus (P), which moves slowly in soil. To study the vertical distribution of extractable nutrients and soil pH in different types of ley soil, P fertilisers were incorporated or placed prior to sowing or broadcast annually at ten sites for 3 years. Then the soils were sampled in several layers 2.5 or 5 cm deep and analysed for pH and the concentrations of phosphorus, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) extractable with acid ammonium acetate. In mineral soils, broadcast P mainly remained within the uppermost 2.5 cm of soil, in which the concentrations of extractable P more than doubled during the study period. When commonly used NK and NPK fertilisers were applied, the uppermost 5 cm of soil was acidified by about 0.5 pH units and its Ca value decreased by about 25%. Broadcast K enriched a thin surface layer even if the K balance was negative. Estimation of the concentration of dissolved phosphate in runoff suggested that the high P losses that are possible at excessive levels of soil test P can be diminished by perennial grasses supplied with abundant water and other nutrients. Surface-applied P appeared to increase the losses, but even a shallow placement seemed to prevent them efficiently if all fertiliser granules become covered with soil.

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Acknowledgments

We warmly thank the scientists who contributed to this project by conducting field experiments and the technical experts who took care of the field and laboratory work. We would also like to thank Ekhart Georgi for copyediting the text.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Production Research, Soil and Plant Nutrition, MTT Agrifood Research Finland, 31600, Jokioinen, Finland

    Into Saarela

  2. Plant Production Research, Field Crops, MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Toivonlinnantie 518, 21500, Piikkiö, Finland

    Martti Vuorinen

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  1. Into Saarela
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  2. Martti Vuorinen
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Correspondence to Into Saarela.

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Saarela, I., Vuorinen, M. Stratification of soil phosphorus, pH, and macro-cations under intensively cropped grass ley. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 86, 367–381 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-009-9298-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-009-9298-z

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