The level of macro- and microelements in soil and its reaction are among those physico-chemical properties that have a decisive impact on plant production, including orchard plantations. Evaluation of those properties provides extremely important information that can help the fruit farmer in making rational and correct decisions concerning the application of mineral, natural and organic fertilisers, as well as soil liming. Therefore, in the years 2009-2011 environmental studies were conducted, the aim of which was to evaluate the actual reaction and abundance of orchard soils (mainly apple tree orchards) of south-eastern Poland, as one of the largest fruit-growing regions in Poland, in the assimilable forms of macro- and micronutrients (phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, boron, copper, iron, manganese and zinc) and to determine the relations of these elements with the agronomic category and pHKCl. The research was conducted using the results of chemical analyses of 1,611 soil samples (3 replications per each soil sampling point) collected in the late autumn, after the fruit harvest and before all agrotechnical treatments, from the arable horizon 0-20 cm. In the samples, the particle size distribution and reaction were determined and agronomy categories and reaction classes were specified. The content of available forms of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium was determined in 1,611 samples, whereas the content of boron, copper, iron, manganese and zinc was assessed in 1,518 soil samples. It was found that the reaction of the investigated orchard soils was mainly in the slightly acidic range. In most cases, the content of assayed available forms of macro- (P, K, Mg) and microelements (B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) displayed significant and positive correlation with the agronomic category and soil reaction class (except for iron) and also with the content of the other analysed elements.

4.23.2018