Abstract:

The aim of this research was to determined the influence of macro balanced fertilization (N2:P1:K2) on the soil chemical properties and vertical distribution of nutrients in the root zone of three chestnut orchards planted on soils with different textures (loam, clay loam and sandy loam). In the study, applied N:P:K fertilization increased soil pH in loamy and clay loam soil textures and especially in soil layer of 0-20 cm. This increase was observed in the soil layer of 20-40 cm in sandy soils. The organic matter content of the soil has increased in all textures except the sandy loam texture. however, it decreased depend on increasing soil depth. The applied N, P, and K fertilizers were increased macronutrients significantly as expected in all textures. The fastest increases were determined in the soil layer of 0-20 cm and N and P nutrients. In the vertical distribution of plant nutrients, loamy soil texture stood out. Fine texture soils (loamy and clay loam) had a higher accumulation of macro and micronutrient concentrations available in the 0-20 cm layer compared to sandy loam soil. The results revealed that fine soil textures keep the vertical distribution of plant nutrients more stable compared to sandy soils and the changes were limited in sweet chestnut orchards.

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