engleski

Effect of different land use on main soil properties

Intensive agriculture throughout a long period is likely to cause soil degradation. Therefore, monitoring of soil quality in agricultural regions is essential for food quality and food safety. The present study is conducted in the agricultural region of Croatia (Osijek-Baranja County) where 74 samples were collected from forest land (21) and agricultural land (53). The study investigates differences between forest soils and agricultural soils (arable land and pasture) in regard of main soil properties such as pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), bulk density (BD), total nitrogen (Tot- N), available phosphorous (AL-P) and available potassium (AL-K). In addition to main soil properties, total concentrations of several micronutrients (Fe, Mn and Zn) have been observed as well. The aim of this study is to identify potential soil degradation of particular soil property. The significant differences (p˂0.001) have been observed for all above mention soil properties (with exception of micronutrients). However, negative effect of agricultural practice has been observed only for SOC, Tot-N and BD, suggesting degradation of these soil properties. As mentioned earlier, total concentrations of micronutrients (Fe, Mn and Zn) showed no significant difference between land use, therefore there is no soil degradation due to agricultural practice with regard of these three micronutrients. However, availability of these micronutrients is largely dependent on soil properties (pH and SOC).

agriculture ; forestry ; soil quality ; soil properties

nije evidentirano