Quality of arable land in Estonia
2000
Roostalu, H. (Estonian Agricultural Univ., Tartu (Estonia). Inst. of Soil Science and Agrochemistry)
Only 50-60 per cent of arable land in Estonia is characterized by a high degree of fertility, where it is possible to foster competitive agricultural production. The share of low fertility, droughtly and coarse rich soils as well as eroded soils, nutrient - poor acid soils and overmoistened soils in the arable area, where agricultural production is not profitable, is relatively large. On all arable land soils with a low or very low content of lactate soluble potassium account for 40-65 per cent. Considerable phosphorus deficit occurs in 20-35 per cent of soils in the arable area. The soils of Polva, Valga and Voru counties are exceedingly poor in humus. The available water supply in the metric profile of arable soils at the beginning of vegetation period varies from 140 to 255 mm. Gleyic and gley soils occupy the large areas in the West-Estonian depression, in the Peipus Lowland and Hiiumaa. In central Estonia soil conditions are relatively favourable for agricultural production. On the other hand in the north and south - east of Estonia and on the islands occupy less - fertile soils. In drawing up plants of development and planning land use local self - goverments should take account of concrete natural conditions more than before. Also, more attention should be given to alternative possibilities of land use
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