• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.403-408
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• 2006

Fluvio-marine paddy soils in Korea consist of high silt content and have the hardpan located below 20~30 cm from surface soil. This properties cause poor rice rhizosphere conditions such as low permeability and porosity, high bulk density and hardness. The aims of this study was to investigate the effect of popped rice hulls compost(PRHC) on soil fertility changes in the Fluvio-marine plain paddy soils. Total nitrogen content and nitrogen mineralization rate of PRHC were 1.17 and 33.5, respectively, and its C/N ratio was 35.4. Application of PRHC increased the content of organic matter and exchangeable potassium and improved the bulk density and porosity. The content of $NH_4-N$ in soil was high in the PRHC plot until maximum tillering stage. An uptake amount of fertilized nitrogen was greater in standard fertilization plot at early growth stage, however, it was greater more in PRHC plots at the ripening period than in standard fertilization plot. Among the PRHC treated plots, uptake amount was the greatest in 50% PRHC plot during the all growth period. Nitrogen efficiencies were higher in PRHC plot during the all growth period. Rice yields in all PRHC plots were lower than in standard fertilization, however, the yield of 40% PRHC plot was similar with that of standard.