THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MINERAL NITROGEN CONTENT AND SOIL PH IN GRASSLAND AND FODDER CROP SOILS

Abstract

This study attempted to evaluate the relationship between mineral nitrogen (Nmin) content and soil pH in the 60-90 cm layer of grassland soils relative to other selected agricultural fodder crops. The area of the study uniformly covered the whole territory of Poland. The dependence between Nmin content and soil pH was expressed as correlation coefficients, while their significance was evaluated using the one-way non-orthogonal analysis of variance classification. Regardless of sampling date (spring or autumn) and land use (meadow, pasture, hay and pasture or alternate), soil pH had a significant effect on Nmin concentration. The correlation between Nmin and soil pH in grasslands on mineral soils was positive, regardless of soil sampling date. In turn, in organic soils a negative correlation between pH and Nmin content was observed in the spring period, whereas in autumn this trend did not persist and the correlation was positive. On the other hand, in the case of agricultural fodder crops (maize or mixed cereal) Nmin content in the 60-90 cm layer and soil pH were found to be positively correlated, regardless of spring or autumn sampling date, with a correlation coefficient higher than 0.9. The obtained results can be used for diminishing environmental hazards.