THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LOCAL SOIL TYPES TO SOIL FERTILITY STUDIES

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Abstract
Soil productivity data included in this study were obtained from field experiments laid down in areas of soil, characteristic of individual member profiles of catenary groups of the Weyburn and Oxbow Associations, and of a mapping complex comprising members of the Sceptre, Kindersley, and Flaxcombe Associations.The criteria used to assess soil productivity included the yield of gram with and without phosphorus and nitrogen fertilization, uptake of fertilizer phosphorus, 'A' values (from field and greenhouse experiments) and extractable phosphorus (NaHCO3 and H2CO3).The data illustrate the variability in yield and response to phosphorus fertilization that can be expected within relatively short distances in any one field in which complexity of soil pattern occurs. These differences in productivity were closely associated with pedogenic differences used to classify the soils.It was concluded that considerable care must be taken in the interpretation and application of fertility data obtained from small plot experiments as the data are applicable to only one particular soil type, in most instances the soil member on which the test was established; such data cannot be used to represent mapping units which include even closely associated soil types.

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