Monitoring physical and chemical properties of soil in Chungcheongbuk-do

The soil physical and chemical properties are the main factors that influence plant productivity and soil fertility. Since 1999, South Korea has been conducting a survey on changes in the agricultural environment survey every four years. The purpose of the present study is to monitor the physical and chemical properties of soil in Chungcheongbuk-do. Soil samples were collected from the exact sites of the aforementioned environment survey, and land use and cultivated crops were also investigated. From a Pearson correlation analysis, it was found that the total carbon contents were most negatively affected by the soil depth. The bulk density of soil increased up to a depth of 40 cm but decreased to a depth of 60 cm. The porosity and moisture of soil generally decreased, but the porosity increased at a depth of 50 - 60 cm. Chemical properties of soil gradually decreased with an increase of the soil depth from 0 to 70 cm, but little change was observed in soil pH with soil depth. In addition, the organic matter contents of the soil at a depth of 30 cm or more were below the optimal range. The soil of Chungcheongbuk-do thus requires organic matter application as a whole, and correction of items that are partially out of the optimal range is necessary.