Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Tekirdağ
Abstract
Soil fertility is a critical factor influencing rice productivity, and understanding nutrient interactions is essential for effective management in agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the fertility status and nutrient balance of rice-growing soils in Keşan by analyzing key macro- and micronutrient properties. Fifteen soil samples were collected from major cultivation areas at a depth of 0-30 cm and analyzed for pH, EC, CaCO₃, organic matter, N, P, K, Ca-Mg, and DTPA-extractable micronutrients using standard laboratory methods. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and PCA were performed using SPSS and Python. The soils were found to be slightly alkaline and calcareous, with high Ca-Mg contributing to strong buffering capacity but reducing Mn and Zn solubility. Organic matter levels were low, explaining its strong association with N, P, K, and micronutrients. Macronutrients showed considerable variability, with consistently low nitrogen and pH-sensitive phosphorus availability. Correlation and PCA results revealed two dominant soil-quality axes: one driven by organic matter and macronutrient enrichment, and another related to alkalinity and carbonate effects on micronutrients. Overall, the findings indicate that although the soils provide a stable chemical environment, nutrient limitations-particularly low OM, N deficiency, and reduced Mn-Zn availability necessitate improved fertilization practices and targeted soil management to sustain rice productivity in Keşan.
SOLMAZ, Y. (2026). Soil Nutrient Status and Fertility Assessment of Rice Cultivation Areas in Keşan, Türkiye. ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 10(2), 474–483. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20010615
📄Abeysiriwardena, D.S.D.Z., Dhanapala, M.P., 2021. Grain yield disparity of rice between tropical and subtropical/temperate Regions. Sri Lanka Journal of Food and Agriculture, 7(1): 1-15.
📄Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2023. Turkey’s rice production and variety development. (https://www.tarimorman.go v.tr), (Accessed: 18.02.2025).
📄Arinzechi, C., Huang, P., Ping, Y., Xu, H., Wang, Q., Tang, C., Yang, Z., 2025. Calcium–magnesium synergy in reducing cadmium bioavailability and uptake in rice plants. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 27(6): 832-841.
📄Aydemir, O., 1992. Bitki Besleme ve Toprak Verimliliği. Atatürk Üniversitesi Yayınları No: 734. Erzurum, s. 1-350.
📄Barrow, N.J., Hartemink, A.E., 2023. The effects of pH on nutrient availability depend on both soils and plants. Plant and Soil, 487(1): 21-37.
📄Barzgar, Z., Towfighi, H., Fathi-Gerdelidani, A., Shahbazi, K., Heidari, A., Etesami, H., Spaccini, R., 2025. Molecular determinants of humic and fulvic acids in enhancing micronutrient availability in calcareous soils: a comparative study on Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu dynamics. Scientific Reports, 15(1): 34142.
📄Berbert, P.A., 1995. On-line density-independent moisture content measurement of hard winter wheat using the capacitance method. PhD Thesis, Crandfield University (Unpublished), UK, pp. 1-210.
📄Bhuyan, M.I., Supit, I., Mia, S., Mulder, M., Ludwig, F., 2023. Effect of soil and water salinity on dry season boro rice production in the south-central coastal area of Bangladesh. Heliyon, 9(8): e18644.
📄Bremner, J.M., 1965. Total nitrogen. In Black, C. A. (Ed.), Methods of soil analysis: part 2 chemical and microbiological properties (pp. 1149-1178). Madison, Wisconsin: American Society of Agronomy.
📄Carson, P.L., 1980. Recommended potassium test. In Recommended chemical soil test procedures for the north central region (pp. 20-21). Fargo, USA: North Dakota Agric. Exp. Stn.
📄Delgoda, K.H.B.H., Sugathas, S., Neththasinghe, N. A. S. A., Chandrasekara, E.D.C.T., Dissanayaka, D.M.S.B., Ariyarathne, M., Suriyagoda, L.D.B., 2023. Variability of pH and EC of selected rice cultivated soils of Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research, 34(4): 312-325.
📄Dobermann, A., Fairhurst, T., 2000. Rice: Nutrient Disorders & Nutrient Management. Handbook Series 1st edn, IRRI, Makati City, Philippines, pp. 1-191.
📄Faostat, 2024. FAO GIEWS Food Price Monitoring and Analysis Tool. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, (https://fpma.fao.org/giews/fpmat 4/#/dashboard/tool/domestic) (Accessed: 18.02.2025).
📄Hızalan, E., Ünal, H., 1966. Topraklarda önemli kimyasal analizler. Aydın Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Yayınları, 278: 5-7.
📄Jackson, M.L., 1962. Soil Chemical Analysis. Prentice Hall Inc., Englewood cliffs, New Jersey, USA, pp. 1-498.
📄Jin, W., Li, L., Ma, G., Wei, Z., 2024. Halotolerant microorganism-based soil conditioner application improved the soil properties, yield, quality and starch characteristics of hybrid rice under higher saline conditions. Plants, 13(16): 2325.
📄Kacar, B., Fox, R. L., 1966. Boron status of some Turkish soils. University of Ankara, Yearbook of the faculty of Agriculture, Ankara, pp. 9-11.
📄Khatun, A., Mukherjee, S., Bullah, M.M., Bhattacharya, P., 2024. Effects of micronutrients on crop quality. International Journal of Research in Agronomy, 7(4): 107-114.
📄Kumawat, A., Kumar, D., Shivay, Y.S., Bhatia, A., Rashmi, I., Yadav, D., Kumar, A., 2023. Long-term impact of biofertilization on soil health and nutritional quality of organic basmati rice in a typic ustchrept soil of India. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11: 1031844.
📄Laik, R., Eltahira, E.B.A., Pramanick, B., Nidhi, Singh, S.K., Es, H.V., 2025. Enhancing soil health in rice cultivation: optimized Zn application and crop residue management in calcareous soils. Sustainability, 17(2): 489.
📄Lu, M., 2024. Impact of climate change on rice and adaptation strategies: A review. Advances in Resources Research, 4(2): 252-262.
📄Luo, Y.J., Huang, L.M., Yuan, D.G., 2022. Characteristics and controls of inorganic and organic phosphorus transformation during long-term paddy soil evolution. Soil and Tillage Research, 224: 105524.
📄Maas, E.V., Hoffman, G.J., 1977. Crop salt tolerance current assessment. Journal of the irrigation and drainage division, 103(2): 115-134.
📄Mboyerwa, P.A., Kibret, K., Mtakwa, P., Aschalew, A., 2022. Lowering nitrogen rates under the system of rice intensification enhanced rice productivity and nitrogen use efficiency in irrigated lowland rice. Heliyon, 8(3): e09140.
📄Mujiyo, M., Naaifah, M.I., Suntoro, S., Maro'ah, S., 2023. A Comparative study of soil fertility in organic, semi-organic, and conventional rice field farming systems (Case Study: Nguntoronadi District, Wonogiri, Indonesia). Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 34(1): 44-61.
📄Nurliani, N., Rosada, I., Rahbiah, S., Sirajuddin, S.N., Al-Tawaha, A.R.M., Al-Tawaha, A.R.M.S., 2024. Comparison of conventional and organic paddy cropping systems in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sains Tanah-Journal of Soil Science and Agroclimatology, 21(2): 246-253.
📄Olsen, S.R., 1954. Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. US Department of Agriculture, (939): 1-19.
📄Ong’injo, R.O., Kengara, F.O., Shikanga, E., Wang, F., 2024. Sustainability of biochar amendment in a tropical paddy soil. Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment, 7: 100113.
📄Qaswar, M., Ahmed, W., Jing, H., Hongzhu, F., Xiaojun, S., Xianjun, J., Zhang, H., 2019. Soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry drives phosphorus lability in paddy soil under long-term fertilization. PLoS One, 14(6): e0218195.
📄Richards, L.A., 1954. Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils. US Department of Agriculture, Handbook No: 60, pp. 1-160.
📄Sahasakul, Y., Aursalung, A., Thangsiri, S., Temviriyanukul, P., Inthachat, W., Pongwichian, P., Suttisansanee, U., 2023. Nutritional compositions, phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of rainfed rice grown in different degrees of soil salinity. Foods, 12(15): 2870.
📄Saleem, A., Zulfiqar, A., Saleem, M.Z., Ali, B., Saleem, M.H., Ali, S., Mostafa, R.M., 2023. Alkaline and acidic soil constraints on iron accumulation by Rice cultivars in relation to several physio-biochemical parameters. BMC Plant Biology, 23(1): 397.
📄Suriyagoda, L.D.B., Neththasinghe, N.A.S. A., Chandrasekara, E.D.C.T., Ekanayake, E.M.S., Dissanayaka, D.M.S.B., Ariyarathne, M., Marambe, B., 2023. Distribution of phosphorus and potassium in selected rice cultivated soils and their accumulation in rice grains in Sri Lanka. Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 51(3): 445-458.
📄Wang, J.L., Liu, K.L., Zhao, X.Q., Zhang, H.Q., Li, D., Li, J.J., Shen, R.F., 2021. Balanced fertilization over four decades has sustained soil microbial communities and improved rice productivity in red paddy soil. Science of the Total Environment, 793: 148664.
📄Xu, Y., Ding, G., Ma, W., Yuan, J., Liu, J., Xie, Z., Li, J., 2025. Beyond monoculture: a comparative analysis of soil properties and grain quality in rice-based co-culture systems. Biology, 14(9): 1195.
📄Yang, T., Sun, G., Sun, M., Du, H., Luo, Z., Feng, Q., Long, Z., 2025. Effects of lime, magnesia and silicon on soil acid-neutralizing capacity and rice yield in acidic paddy fields. Agriculture, 15(10): 1042.
📄Yang, X., Song, Z., Van Zwieten, L., Guo, L., Chen, J., Luo, Z., Wang, H., 2024. Significant accrual of soil organic carbon through long‐term rice cultivation in paddy fields in China. Global Change Biology, 30(3): e17213.
📄Yeasmin, S., Noman, M., Betto, Z.S., Rahman, T., Sarly, S.P., Islam, A.M., Anwar, M.P., 2025. Impact of organic and inorganic sources of nitrogen on soil fertility and nitrogen use efficiency in farmers’ fields. Nitrogen, 6(3): 86.
📄Yoshida, S., 1981. Fundamentals of rice crop science. ınternational rice research institute, Makati City, Philippines, pp. 1-269.
📄Yu, K., Wang, Z., Yang, W., Li, S., Wu, D., Zheng, H., Liu, D., 2025. Application of biochar-immobilized Bacillus megaterium for enhancing phosphorus uptake and growth in rice. Plants, 14(2): 214.
📄Zhang, S., Wang, L., Chen, S., Fan, B., Huang, S., Chen, Q., 2022. Enhanced phosphorus mobility in a calcareous soil with organic amendments additions: Insights from a long term study with equal phosphorus input. Journal of Environmental Management, 306: 114451.
📄Zhang, Y., Jiang, S., Wang, H., Yu, L., Li, C., Ding, L., Shao, G., 2025. Interactions of Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cd in soil–rice systems: ımplications for reducing Cd accumulation in rice. Toxics, 13(8): 633.
📄Zhou, J., Yang, Y., Lv, Y., Pu, Q., Li, J., Zhang, Y., Tao, D., 2022. Interspecific hybridization is an important driving force for origin and diversification of Asian cultivated rice Oryza sativa L. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13: 932737.
