Soil acidification with various planting patterns in Lhasa, Tibet, China

The spread of vegetable production around Lhasa, Tibet, China, with high nitrogen fertiliser use may cause accelerated acidification which has consequences for soil productivity. In order to understand the different patterns of soil acidity in Lhasa, Tibet, China three patterns of land use were studied namely: grain, openfield vegetable, and greenhouse vegetable. Fertilizer application was higher in vegetable cultivation and greenhouse vegetable cultivation among the three patterns of land use. Soil pH for greenhouse vegetable production was lowest, while soil pH for grain production was the highest. Higher fertilization and the higher evaporation coupled with very low leaching in vegetable greenhouse caused a dramatic change of soil quality. We should improve management to increase nitrogen uptake efficiency and to reduce nitrogen application.