BASIC CHARACTERISTIC PROPERTIES AND FERTILITY CONDITIONS OF THE RED-YELLOW PODZOLIC SOILS IN EASTERN BLACK SEA REGION

This research was carried out to determine some basic characteristics and fertility levels of Red-Yellow Podzolic soils, which are commonly found in Eastern Black Sea Region. For this purpose, some physical, chemical and fertility properties of the soils were determined in a total of 370 samples taken from the research area representing the intended group of soil. The results of this study indicated that soil samples were generally clay loam, sandy clay loam, sandy loam and loam textured, and they contained low pH values. Some soil samples involved low or insignificant calcium carbonate content and they had no salinity problem. In addition, it was determined that the available P, extractable K and Ca contents of the soils were generally at inadequate level. Total N, extractable Mg and Na, DTPA+TEA-extractable Fe, Cu and Mn contents were found to be adequate/high, whereas, 70% of the soil samples had high organic matter content and inadequate extractable Zn