The aim was to analyze effects of jujube planting years on changes of soil nutrient elements and explore the causes of orchard degradation by researching variation characteristics of soil nutrient contents in orchards with different planting years, providing theoretical support for the soil degradation of jujube or-chards. [Method] Soil samples were col ected in depth at 0-20 and 20-40 cm from the sites in or out of tree canopy scope in jujube orchards with 3, 5 and 7 plan-ning-years, to analyze contents of available N, P and K, organic matter, total N, salts, and trace elements, as wel as changes of nutritional elements. [Result] Avail-able boron, copper, iron, manganese, zinc and available potassium in soils of jujube orchards with 3, 5 and 7 years planting history reduced as planting year increased, which coincided with that in the soil of 20-40 cm. [Conclusion] Because trace ele-ments are never applied in southern Xinjiang, available B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn and available K would be consumed by tree root growth. Due to root distribution differ-ences and ploughing effects in fields, the contents of nutrients tend to be volatile in or out of tree canopy scope. Tree root in deeper soils absorbs more nutrients, and soil nutrients would decrease dramatical y if additional chemical fertilizers are not provided, leading to soil degradation.
