The paper aims to study the soil nutrient status in Hetao Plain and explore the spatial variability and distribution characteristics of soil nutrients at county scale. By taking the arable land in Hangjinhouqi County as the object, the content of soil organic matter, total soil nitrogen, available phosphorus and rapid available potassium in the cultivated soil were studied, the spatial variability and distribution characteristics of soil nutrients were analyzed by field investigation and geostatistics. The results showed that the average content of soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium in topsoil in the arable layer was 13.90 g/kg, 0.93 g/kg, 16.25 mg/kg and 170.79 mg/kg, respectively. The soil organic matter and total soil nitrogen in the arable layer were in a deficient state, the content of available phosphorus was moderate, and the rapid available potassium was abundant. From the perspective of spatial variation and correlation, the variation degree of soil nutrients was moderate, the organic matter and rapid available potassium were moderately correlated, and the total nitrogen and available phosphorus were weakly correlated. From the perspective of spatial distribution pattern, the soil organic matter came to a trend of high level in the northwest, low level in the southeast and northeast, and the distribution of soil total nitrogen was similar to that of soil organic matter. The overall distribution of available potassium in soil was relatively balanced; the spatial difference of available phosphorus was obvious, showing a pattern of east high and west low. Concerning the soil nutrient content and distribution in the region, the process of nutrient management should be as following: control the nitrogen, stabilize the phosphorus, stabilize the potassium, combine the planning of the whole district with the key response, and adhere to the organic fertilizer, organic and inorganic combined fertilization strategy. The investigation and statistical analysis of soil nutrient status at the county scale clarified the spatial distribution characteristics of regional soil nutrients and their relationship with land using patterns, providing a scientific basis for soil nutrient management, soil fertility and rational fertilization planning in Hetao Plain.
Cultivated Land Protection
