Visualization and evaluation of the soil environment in apple orchard after fertilizing
2016
Kato, K. (Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori (Japan). Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science) | Endo, A. | Chiba, K. | Mizoguchi, M.
In regions with heavy snowfall like Aomori prefecture, where orchards are covered with snow during the winter, the spring fertilization is often recommended in order to avoid leaching of fertilizer from main root zone under the snow. It is useful to measure the electrical conductivity (EC) and the soil water content using soil sensors to detect the leaching after fertilization. In this study, the authors collaborated with farmers in Tsuruta, Aomori prefecture, to monitor the soil environment (soil water content, EC of soil solution and soil temperature) after fertilizing in apple orchards using the Field Monitoring System (FMS). As a result of 6 years monitoring, we found that 1) Severe leaching was not observed in the investigated orchard during the period of lingering snows. It was found that seepage of melting snow, at higher temperature, has a significant effect on the dynamic state of fertilizer. After the period of snow melting, EC attenuated to the level before fertilization. 2) Penetration of fertilizer in spring was strongly affected by precipitation. Heavy rains may cause sever leaching of fertilizer components, and light rains make fertilizer remain close to the surface. 3) We visualized the penetration of fertilizer by installed soil sensors in the orchard and helped farmers' decision-making for fertilization timing.
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