Investigating on the nutrient status and plant nutrient-limiting factors of vegetable garden soils in the suburb of Hangzhou.

Chemical analysis and systematic approach were employed to study the soil nutrient status and plant nutrientlimiting factors of vegetable garden soils in the suburb of Hangzhou. Results showed that soils with pH 6.5 amounted to 77.2% of a total of 154 soil samples. All those soil samples were deficient in N and excessive in P, and 83.8% of them were deficient in K.The results of pot experiment showed that plant nutrientlimiting factors in four typical soils were all deficient in N and K and excessive in P, with secondary macronutrient and micronutrient being deficient or excessive.Therefore, we should ensure the need of the plants with frequent and adequate N fertilization while minimize the application rate of phosphate fertilizer and increase the application rate of potash fertilizer according to soil nutrient status, nutrient requirement of vegetables and their adverse environmental effects.