Changes in soil chemical properties and the impact of livestock manure compost use in Korean agricultural soil: sustainable soil management strategies

Abstract

This study analyzes the changes in the chemical properties of agricultural land and fertilizer usage in South Korea to propose improvement strategies for sustainable agricultural development. Over the past decades, the use of mineral fertilizers has significantly decreased due to government policies aimed at sustainable agriculture. However, despite the reduction in mineral fertilizer usage, the nutrient load in agricultural soils has not improved. This is primarily due to the excessive use of livestock manure compost, which has led to increased levels of available phosphate, potassium, and calcium exceeding optimal levels. Such conditions exacerbate the problem of salt accumulation in soils, potentially having long-term adverse effects on crop growth. To address these issues, this study suggests that the use of livestock manure compost should be systematically managed, taking into account its application rates in fertilization prescriptions. It is essential to standardize and clearly label the nutrient content of livestock manure compost to enable farmers to develop more scientific fertilization plans. This approach can help resolve the issues of salt accumulation and nutrient imbalance in agricultural soils, thereby contributing to the preservation of soil quality and sustainable agricultural development.