engleski

Effects of soil management techniques on soil water erosion on undeveloped soil in Mediterranean Croatia

Mediterranean soils are often degraded due to inappropriate soil management where tillage and agrochemicals are used to keep the soils bare prone to erosion. This research focused on the evaluation of soil management techniques on soil properties and hydrological response in the Mediterranean (Bacina, Croatia). Three methods of land management (tillage/straw/ grass-cover) were selected ; where six plots per treatment (18 plots), were established to determine soil losses and runoff. The simulated rainfall was carried out at 58 mm h−1 (> 30% soil moisture) for 30 min on 0.785 m2 circular plots. The results showed that grass cover and use of straw mulch resulted in a reduction of soil erosion by 99.8% and 98.5%, respectively. Tilled plots were recognized as highly unsustainable with soil losses as high as 3.94 t ha-1 in one rainstorm event. The highest (p < 0.05) soil organic matter content, mean weight diameter, and water-stable aggregates were found in grass- covered plots. Although straw plots did not improve soil quality, straw mulching decreased (p < 0.05) the sediment concentrations and runoff, and also increased (p < 0.05) the infiltration rate in addition to tilled plots. The results of our research showed that in our study area tillage should be avoided or coupled with immediate conservation measures like straw mulching to avoid land degradation and achieve sustainability.

soil loss ; soil management ; hydrological response ; soil quality ; fig orchard

nije evidentirano