Cultivation Effects on Soil Fertility Dynamics of the oasis croplands in the Southern rim of the Tarim Basin

Huang Caibian*, Zeng Fanjiang, Lei Jiaqiang

Research Articles | Published:

Print ISSN : 0970-4078.
Online ISSN : 2229-4473.
Website:www.vegetosindia.org
Pub Email: contact@vegetosindia.org
Doi: 10.5958/j.2229-4473.27.1.031
First Page: 200
Last Page: 206
Views: 1220


Keywords: Cultivation, Oasis, Soil fertility, Cropland.


Abstract

Twenty croplands in the Cele oasis, at the southern margin of the Tarim Basin of Xinjiang, were selected, representing 100, 80, 30, 15 and 10 years of cultivation, to investigate the soil fertility over time. After longterm cultivation, significant increases were observed in soil organic matter (SOM) and total macronutrients. The key factors contributing towards the soil fertility index (SFI) were SOM, available potassium (AK) and phosphorus. The values of SFI declined in the following order: 80 (0.95)>100 (0.68)>30 (0.43)>15 (0.41)>0 (0.37)>10 (0.34) years. This suggests that the long-term cultivation practices have demonstrated obvious positive effect on the soil fertility. However, there was a risk of land degradation and deterioration of soil fertility once the cultivated croplands were abandoned in the initial 10 years.


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References


Acknowledgements


Author Information

Huang Caibian* Zeng Fanjiang Lei Jiaqiang
Cele National Field Science Observation and Research Station, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China

*Corresponding author E-mail: huangcaibian7001@sina.com

Online published on 20 May, 2014.