Decadal trends in soil and grain microelement concentrations indicate mainly favourable development in Finland
Soinne, Helena; Kurkilahti, Mika; Heikkinen, Jaakko; Eurola, Merja; Uusitalo, Risto; Nuutinen, Visa; Keskinen, Riikka (2022)
Soinne, Helena
Kurkilahti, Mika
Heikkinen, Jaakko
Eurola, Merja
Uusitalo, Risto
Nuutinen, Visa
Keskinen, Riikka
Julkaisusarja
Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science
Volyymi
185
Numero
5
Sivut
578-588
Wiley
2022
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022101161534
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022101161534
Tiivistelmä
Background
Observations on declining nutrient contents in crops have raised concerns about soil fertility and food quality. Long-term monitoring data are valuable in exposing trends and indicating the need for interventions.
Aims
This study aimed to assess the soil microelement status and grain nutritional value on a national scale in Finland over the last decades.
Methods
Using nationwide sets of samples and time-series datasets, temporal trends in readily available zinc, copper, boron, iron, manganese, cadmium, molybdenum, nickel, aluminium, cobalt, and lead in cultivated soils of Finland during 1974–2018 and the corresponding total element concentrations in grains of oats and barley during 1988–2019 were determined.
Results
In soil, initially increasing trends of element concentrations tended to prevalently level off towards the end of the study period. A decreasing trend was observed only for cadmium and zinc in coarse soils. In grains of barley and oat, aluminium and lead concentrations decreased between 1988 and 2019. Barley grains exhibited a decreasing trend in manganese and cobalt, whereas an increasing trend was detected for copper and iron in oats.
Conclusions
No alarming decreases in micronutrient contents in agricultural soils or cereal grains were detected over the study period. In grains, the concentrations of potentially toxic elements decreased. Although the nationwide micronutrient status in Finland is on average satisfactory or good, local micronutrient deficiencies may occur.
Observations on declining nutrient contents in crops have raised concerns about soil fertility and food quality. Long-term monitoring data are valuable in exposing trends and indicating the need for interventions.
Aims
This study aimed to assess the soil microelement status and grain nutritional value on a national scale in Finland over the last decades.
Methods
Using nationwide sets of samples and time-series datasets, temporal trends in readily available zinc, copper, boron, iron, manganese, cadmium, molybdenum, nickel, aluminium, cobalt, and lead in cultivated soils of Finland during 1974–2018 and the corresponding total element concentrations in grains of oats and barley during 1988–2019 were determined.
Results
In soil, initially increasing trends of element concentrations tended to prevalently level off towards the end of the study period. A decreasing trend was observed only for cadmium and zinc in coarse soils. In grains of barley and oat, aluminium and lead concentrations decreased between 1988 and 2019. Barley grains exhibited a decreasing trend in manganese and cobalt, whereas an increasing trend was detected for copper and iron in oats.
Conclusions
No alarming decreases in micronutrient contents in agricultural soils or cereal grains were detected over the study period. In grains, the concentrations of potentially toxic elements decreased. Although the nationwide micronutrient status in Finland is on average satisfactory or good, local micronutrient deficiencies may occur.
Collections
- Julkaisut [85835]