Distribution of Available Zinc in Longshan Tobacco Growing Soil and Its Influencing Factors

Purpose In order to investigate the distribution characteristics of available zinc in tobacco growing soils and its influencing factors in Longshan County.

Method 300 representative soil samples were collected by the technology of global position system (GPS). Spatial distribution of available zinc content and its influencing factors were analyzed using classical statistics and geostatistics.

Results (1) The average content of available zinc was of 3.98 mg/kg, which ranged from 0.13 to 14.40 mg/kg with coefficient of variation as high as 82.71%. (2) The average content of available zinc in tobacco growing soils was strongly spatially dependent and mainly influenced by structural factors. Furthermore, spatial analysis indicated that available zinc content in tobacco growing soils was very rich (≥5.00 mg/kg) in the northeastern areas, deficiency (<1.00 mg/kg) in the western areas. (3) There were significant differences (P<0.05) or extremely significant differences (P<0.01) among the different terrain conditions, different altitude and different organic matter content, but there was not difference (P>0.05) among different soil pH. (4) Available zinc content of soil following flue-cured tobacco was extremely significant higher (P<0.01) than that of following rice, and was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of following maize.

Conclusion In conclusion, available zinc content of the tobacco growing soils in Longshan County was abundant, but had a strong spatial correlation. Therefore, it is recommended to strengthen the application of zinc fertilizer in the western region of zinc deficiency in order to improve available zinc content of the tobacco growing soils.