engleski

Different land use and seasonality impact on soil properties and soil erosion in maize field

Land degradation is a widespread problem, especially in developed countries, which are struggling and seeking for solutions for environmentally-friendly soil conservation and management practices. Encouraged by these problems, this study was established to evaluate the impacts of different tillage and amendments on soil properties and soil loss. The study site is in Marija Magdalena (45°55′12″N 15°46′16″E), Croatia, on Cambisol, in cropland under maize cultivation. Rainfall simulation experiments and soil sampling were conducted in two seasons (Spring and Fall) of 2021 on 6 treatments (3 plots per treatment, 18 in total). Main factor was tillage (conventional and reduced) and sub-treatment is amendment (biochar - 50 t/ha, manure - 40 t/ha and without amendment - control). Determined properties were: BD (Bulk density), WSA (Water stable aggregates), SOM (Soil organic matter), IR (Infiltration rate), and SL (soil loss). In both seasons BD was significantly lower on the Manure reduced treatments, while higher BD were on the Control conventional treatments. The same pattern followed for SOM and WSA, while on the IR there were no significant differences between treatments and seasons. Sediment losses in Spring were higher on the Biochar and Control treatments on reduced and conventional tillage, compared to the Manure treatments, the same pattern was followed in Fall. After these results, it is visible that farmyard manure have immediate beneficial impact on soil aggregation due to higher SOM and aggregate stability. Similarly, this management directly reduce soil degradation determined by soil loss. Research will be continued several years in different crop rotation to get more precise results for decision making.

tillage, amendments, soil loss, aggregate stability, land degradation

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