Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer ISSN:0367-6315(Print) 2288-2162(Online) 한국토양비료학회 학회지

Fertilizer application is a major Kimchi cabbage production factor, which has been adopted historically to increase yields. However, conventional fertilizer (CF) use is associated with severe environmental concerns due to its nutrient release pattern and nutrient loss potential. Split applications of CF during the cultivation period also incurs extra labour costs. Slow release fertilizer (SRF),on the other hand, is applied one-time, hence it does not require extra labour, as it slowly releases nutrients over a span of time allowing nutrient release to synchronize with critical crop nutrient demand periods. It has been suggested as an alternative to CF to curb the environmental menace. In our study, we compared the effect of CF and SRF on soil nitrogen (N) dynamics, Kimchi cabbage yield and residual soil chemical properties in the growing seasons of 2021 and 2022 at the Highland Agriculture Research Institute in the Gangwon State Government, under rain-fed conditions. The CF resulted in high soil NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- concentrations during the last period of cultivation, however, SRF showed a slow increase pattern of the nutrients up to the middle of the cultivation period and then a decrease till the harvest time. Kimchi cabbage yields were similar under CF and SRF in 2021 (43 and 48 Mg ha^-1 respectively) and 2022 (81 and 79 Mg ha^-1 respectively). The CF left the highest residual soil NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- concentrations in 2021 (12 and 24 mg kg^-1) and 2022 (24 and 22 mg kg^-1). Considering that similar yields were affected by CF and SRF, it could be inferred that more soil N from CF were subject to losses and potential environmental concerns, as CF affected higher soil N concentrations during the growing seasons and after harvest. Holding all other crop production factors constant, SRF has an advantage over CF in terms of saving labour costs and potentially protecting the environment.

Changes in soil NH₄-N and NO₃-N concentrations in response to conventional fertilizer (CF), slow release fertilizer (SRF) and no fertilizer control in the year 2022.