Comparison of Soil Nutrient Status in Conventional and Organic Apple Farm

Soil nutrient status in an organic apple farm was evaluated in relation to a conventional farm to better understand the effects of organic farming system on soil fertility. Soil organic matter, total and mineral N, available P, exchangeable cations, and available micronutrients were monitored at depth of 5-20 cm from May to October in 2006. Average soil organic matter content was 63.3 and 31.0 g kg-1 in organic and conventional farm, respectively. Total N content was 3.3 and 1.7 g kg-1 in average for organic and conventional farm, respectively. Ammonium and nitrate N in organic farming were maintained at relatively stable levels, but in the conventional farm the levels were very high in early season due to the chemical fertilizer application. In the organic apple farm, available P content in May was lower than that found in the conventional farm, but during the growing season available P content was continuously increased and in August the content was more than 1000 mg P2O5 kg-1. The organic farm maintained relatively greater exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg levels than the conventional farm. Available Cu, Fe, and Mn contents in the conventional farm were relatively greater than those found in the organic farm. However, available Zn extracted in 0.1 M HCl was much greater in the organic farm. Nutrient levels above crop needs were observed in both conventional and organic apple farm suggesting a more appropriate management of soil nutrients in organic farming to secure its fundamental functions for the sustainable agriculture.