Status and changes in physico-chemical properties of soil in Chungcheongnam-do

The physico-chemical properties of agricultural soil are factors that affect crop productivity and soil fertility. In Korea, agricultural environment change surveys have been conducted every four years since 1999. The purpose of this study is to investigate the status and changes in the physico-chemical properties of agricultural soil in Chungcheongnam-do. Samples were collected from the exact location of the aforementioned environment survey, and environmental variables (land use, type of crop cultivated) were investigated in relation to the samples. Soil collection was conducted using a core sampler and a single gouge auger. The bulk density of the soil generally increased up to a depth of sampling of 40 cm but decreased thereafter to a depth of 60 cm. Additionally, the bulk density was highest in the upland soil case and stood at 1.59 g·cm^-3, while the lowest value of 1.52 g·cm^-3 was obtained from orchard soil samples. Conversely, the porosity and moisture gradually decreased at soil depths of 0 - 40 cm and increased at depths of 40 - 60 cm. Most of the soil chemical properties generally decreased with an increase the soil depth from 0 to 70 cm, but electrical conductivity (EC) increased up to a depth of 40 cm. Therefore, it is judged that it is necessary to lower the bulk density by supplying organic matter for agricultural land in Chungcheongnam-do.