Determination of Basic Soil Properties and Nutrient Element States of Agricultural Soils of Akselendi Plain and Formation of Distribution Maps

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine some basic characteristics and present productivity status of agricultural lands covering 9437.1 hectares between two adjacent micro-basins, Ilıcak and Kum Rivers and Akselendi plain, in Gediz Basin. Additionally, it was also aimed to determine distribution maps of these soil properties in the area with IDW interpolation model. A total of 181 soil samples were collected, soil samples were collected between 0-30 cm depth while geographic coordinates were recorded the. Soil fertility (soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity, calcium carbonate, organic matter), and available micro and macroelement contents (N, P, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn) were analyzed in the collected soil samples. According to analysis results, agricultural lands have a coarse texture in general, while texture changes between a clay loam and sandy. Even though soil pH values do not change often, some were slightly alkaline, low or moderate on organic matter, salty, and 56.4% of the soil were mild limy. In addition, 52.4 and 68.5% of the soil were low in phosphorus and nitrogen, respectively. While only the copper content of the study area soil was sufficient in terms of microelement coverage; iron, manganese and zinc contents were found to be inadequate.

Keywords

• Soil plant nutrient elements
• interpolation
• Akselendi Plain