Changes in Rice Yield and Soil Organic Matter Content under Continued Application of Rice Straw Compost for 50 Years in Paddy Soil

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of long-term continuous application of fertilizers for rice cultivation from 1954 to 2003. Changes of physical and chemical properties of paddy soil and the rice yield by continuous application of fertilizers, particularly rice straw compost, over fifty years were discussed in this paper. The rice yields of compost applied plots were 5~12% higher while those of no fertilizer plots were 21~38% lower compared to those of NPK fertilizers applied plots. Uptakes of T-N, , , CaO, MgO, and by rice plants were significantly increased by the application of straw compost. Bulk density, hardness, and liquid phase of soil in compost applied plots were significantly decreased while gaseous phase and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soil were increased compare to those in NPK plots. When the bulk density of soil was increased the rice yield was decreased. The soil organic matter (SOM) content tended to increase in compost applied plots whereas no significant differences were found in other treatments. The soil organic matter content increased by when of rice straw compost applied in paddy land. The compost application rate recommendation for rice cultivation in Korea could be revised by the results of this study.