Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis ›› 2025, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (8): 1755-1765.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-1524.20240531

• Environmental Science • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Evaluation of fertility quality in typical “non-grain” cultivated soils of Zhejiang Province of China based on the improved Nemerow method

GAO Yang1,2(), ZHANG Yuxin1,2, BU Aiai1,2, XU Jiayi1,2, MA Jiawei1,2, YE Zhengqian1,2, LIU Dan1,2, FANG Xianzhi1,2,*()   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Soil Remediation and Quality Improvement of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
    2. National Key Laboratory for Development and Utilization of Forest Food Resources, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
  • Received:2024-06-20 Online:2025-08-25 Published:2025-09-03
  • Contact: FANG Xianzhi

Abstract:

In the present study, 117 soil samples were collected from three kinds of typical “non-grain” cultivated soils (bamboo forests, nurseries and orchards) in Zhejiang Province of China. The pH value and contents of organic matter, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium in these soil samples were measured. According to the grading standards of the Second National Soil Survey, the nutrient levels of these samples were assessed. Meanwhile, the improved Nemerow method was used to comprehensively evaluate the fertility of these soil samples. The results showed that the average comprehensive fertility index of the soil samples in bamboo forests and orchards was 1.32 and 1.15, respectively, belonging to the level Ⅱ (general level), and the average comprehensive fertility index of the soil samples in orchards was 0.87, belonging to the level Ⅲ (poor level). For the soil samples in bamboo forests, the average pH value was 4.94, which was acidic; the average organic matter content was 36.20 g·kg-1, which was classified as the abundant level; and the average contents of available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium were 153.28, 170.56, 235.09 mg·kg-1, which were all classified as the extremely abundant level. For the soil samples in nurseries, the average pH value was 6.06, which was weakly acidic; the average contents of organic matter and available potassium were 16.96 g·kg-1 and 73.50 mg·kg-1, which were classified as the moderately low level; and the contents of available nitrogen and available phosphorus were 122.87, 34.42 mg·kg-1, which were classified as the abundant level. For the soil samples in orchards, the average pH value was 5.13, which was acidic; the average contents of organic matter and available nitrogen were 22.48 g·kg-1 and 117.81 mg·kg-1, which were classified as the moderate level; and the contents of available phosphorus and available potassium were 71.96, 205.96 mg·kg-1, which were classified as the extremely abundant level. It was suggested that each region should formulate soil improvement and fertilization plans tailored to local conditions, with rational application of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers as well as reduced application of phosphorus fertilizer, to ensure the sustainable and efficient utilization of the re-cultivated soil resources in the future agricultural production.

Key words: “non-grain” cultivated soil, soil fertility evaluation, comprehensive fertility index

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