Effect of agrotechnical factors on soil chemical traits and maize yield on Chernozem in the long-term experiment

Abstract

The effect of agrotechnical elements (crop rotation, fertilisation, irrigation) on maize yield and various chemical characteristics of the soil (pHH2O, pHKCl, hydrolytic acidity (y1)) were examined in a long-term experiment (established in 1983) on calcareous Chernozem in the Hajdúság region of Hungary. The yield obtained in 2019 showed the favourable water supply of the crop year and outstanding nutrient utilisation of maize. In the control (non-fertilised) treatments, maize yield was 8 t/ha in monoculture, 11 t/ha in biculture and 12 t/ha in triculture, while the highest yield obtained with the optimum fertiliser treatment increased to 13, 13.5 and 14 t/ha, respectively. In the long-term experiment established 35 years ago, the pH values of the soil greatly decreased in comparison to the initial value. The following ranges were observed in monoculture: 5.57–6.49 (pHH2O), 4.69–5.34 (pHKCl), in biculture: 5.22–6.62 (pHH2O) and 4.36–5.68 (pHKCl), and in triculture: 5.46–6.29 (pHH2O), and 4.56–5.24 (pHKCl). Hydrolytic acidity values (mono y1 = 7.75–14.75, bi y1 = 11.50–23.00, tri y1 = 10.13–18.38) showed strong soil acidity. In the long-term experiment, a moderate (0.512xx, LSD0.01=xx) correlation between fertilisation and yield and a moderate (0.397xx) correlation between crop rotation and yield could be established on Chernozem. A moderately negative (pHH2O = –0.594xx, pHKCl = –0.543xx) correlation was found between the yield and pH values, while a moderately positive (y1 = 0.409xx) correlation was found between the hydrolytic acidity and yield.