Welcome to Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin,

Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (31): 72-78.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2025-0483

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Soil Nutrition Content and Distribution of Apple Orchards in Loess Plateau of Eastern Gansu Province

ZHANG Ning(), LI Yajie, WANG Yongdong, LI Lili()   

  1. Pingliang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Pingliang, Gansu 744000
  • Received:2025-06-11 Revised:2025-09-23 Online:2025-11-05 Published:2025-11-07

Abstract:

Taking the apple orchards in the main apple-producing counties of Jingning, Zhuanglang, Jingchuan and Lingtai in Pingliang City of eastern Gansu Province as the research objects, this study analyzed the distribution characteristics and differences of soil nutrients in the apple orchards in Pingliang. The contents of organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium were assayed from 0-100 cm depth soil profile samples of apple orchards in four counties. The results showed that the average content of soil organic matter in 0-100 cm soil layer of orchard in Jingning, Zhuanglang, Jingchuan and Lingtai were 11.61, 11.90, 10.84 and 12.16 g/kg; the average content of total nitrogen was 0.8724, 0.8074, 0.8525 and 1.0234 g/kg, respectively; the average content of available phosphorus was 93.85, 21.18, 33.72, 28.49 mg/kg; and the average content of available potassium was 217.11, 244.71, 296.74, 275.22 mg/kg, respectively. Overall, the content of organic matter and total nitrogen in orchards of four counties was relatively deficient, while the available phosphorus was at a moderately abundant level, and available potassium was at an abundant level. Additionally, the nutrients contents in the upper soil layers were higher than those in the lower layers. Based on the current soil nutrient status in the main apple-producing counties of Pingliang City, it is recommended to increase the application of organic and nitrogen fertilizers in production to improve soil fertility, thereby benefiting apple cultivation.

Key words: Pingliang, apple orchards, soil nutrient, NPK