A dataset of soil fertility evolution in arable land across the Guanzhong Plain, Shaanxi Province (1980–2022)

Soil fertility of cultivated land plays a crucial role in sustaining crop productivity. Understanding the long-term trends of soil fertility in cultivated land can provide scientific guidance for field management practices, improve soil fertility and agricultural productivity, and promote the sustainable development of regional agriculture. This dataset compiles soil fertility data for arable land in the Guanzhong Plain of Shaanxi Province, China from 1980 to 2022, based on data sources including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Shaanxi Soil Species Records, Shaanxi Soil, Baoji Soil, Baoji County of Shaanxi Province, Fufeng Compilation, Fufeng Soil, Meixian Compilation, Qishan Compilation, and soil testing and formula- fertilization experiments based on the “second-order regression D-optimal design” (i.e. the “3414” experimental design). The dataset contains 18 oil fertility indicators, including soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, alkaline-hydrolysable nitrogen, mineral nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, pH, cation exchange capacity, calcium carbonate, available iron, available manganese, available copper, available zinc, available boron, bulk density, porosity. The dataset systematically covers five prefecture-level cities and one district across the Guanzhong Plain, with a total of 3,195 data records, providing comprehensive information on the temporal and spatial variations in cultivated land fertility across the region. To ensure data accuracy and comparability, this dataset has undergone a three-level quality-control procedure (self-inspection, cross-inspection, and random spot checks by experimental personnel). In addition, data from different sources were standardized prior to integration and analysis. The dataset provides a valuable basis for investigating long-term soil fertility dynamics and identifying patterns of fertility change in the Guanzhong Plain. It can also support the scientific management of cultivated land resources and the development of targeted strategies for soil fertility improvement in the region.