THE IMPACT OF THE LONG ‒ TERM FERTILISATION WITH MINERAL FERTILISERS ON THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF VERTISOL (CENTRAL SERBIA)

Abstract

The study is based on establishing soil acidity and fertility of Vertisols after the mineral fertilisers had continuously been applied from 1984 to 2016. The two phosphorus (35 and 70 kg P ha-1 ), the invariable nitrogen (120 kg N ha-1 ) and potassium (66.4 kg K ha-1 ) doses were used in Kragujevac location (central Serbia) for over 33 study years. The impact of fertilisation with mineral fertilisers on soil acidity, organic carbon content, the total N, P and K as well as on P, K forms balance and on some microelements (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) availability was studied at soil depths of 0-20 and 20-40 cm. After 33 years, the highest changes were noticed in the surface layer (0-20 cm), with an increase in the acidity level and a decrease in organic carbon content and in the total N. Simultaneously, a higher P and K content and a higher Fe and Mn mobility were established in the same soil layer whereas mineral fertilisers had no significant effect on the changes in chemical properties at 20-40 cm deep soils.