Authors : He Song, Yang Lin, Zhaorong Dong, Qing Chen and Jinchuang Wang
Abstract: Base cations input-output budgets are usually considered as important indicators for the sustainability of agricultural production systems. In vegetable production systems, excessive inputs of manure and irrigation water may disturb the base cations budgets. A case study on the base cation input-output budgets of greenhouse was carried out in Shouguang, a typical greenhouse vegetable production region in Northern China. From Feb, 2009 to Jan, 2010, researchers evaluated base cation input-output budgets and identified the most important input and output pathways of base cations under three urea management levels. The balances of base cations showed net surpluses of 5.2-34.1 kmol 1/2 Ca2+, 25.2-30.0 kmol 1/2 Mg2+, 12.0-15.9 kmol K+ and 22.1-25.1 kmol Na+/ha/year under different Nitrogen (N) levels. Different N levels did not produce significantly different effects on the budgets of base cations. The major contributor to Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ surpluses was irrigation water whereas the main contributor to K+ surplus was the overuse of potassium (K) fertilizer. Chicken manure also was an important contributor to Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ surpluses but not to Na+ surplus. The surpluses have changed the composition of soil exchangeable base cations and pose a potential threat to soil quality and crop growth. Furthermore, surplus K in soil can be lost through leaching which is a waste of resources.
He Song, Yang Lin, Zhaorong Dong, Qing Chen and Jinchuang Wang, 2012. Impacts of Chicken Manure and Irrigation on Base Cation Input-Output Budgets in a Vegetable Production System. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 2652-2659.