Effects of Long-Term Fertilization on Rice Yield and Soil Chemical Properties in the Mid-Plain of Korea

A long-term field experiment under different fertilization treatments had been conducted to explore the effects of rice yield and soil chemical properties from 1978 to 2008 in Suwon, Korea. The paddy was applied eight fertilization treatments which were F0 (no fertilizer), PK (phosphorous and potassium), NK (nitrogen and potassium), NP (nitrogen and phosphorous), NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), NPKC (NPK with compost), NPKS (NPK with straw) and NPKL (NPK with lime). Results of 31 years experiment showed that yield index (the ratio of yield in each treatment to NPK) was the lowest in F0 (0.52) and the highest in NPKC (1.18). Yield index was gradually increased in NPKC but decreased in F0 and NK. The yield index of PK, NP, NPKS and NPKL were not changed long-term treatment. Soil acidity of NPKL showed the highest with pH 7.9, and that of other treatments ranged from pH 6.3 to 6.8. Available phosphorous content of soil was increased in all plots by long-term fertilization, was the highest in PK and NPKC. Soil organic matter was higher in NPKC (1.8%) and NPKS (1.8%) than other treatments (1.3~1.4%) in the early experiment, but that was remarkably increased in only NPKC (2.5%) according to annual long-term application. Thus we suggest that annual compost application with optimum NPK could make stable and sustainable rice production.