engleski

Conventional and conservation soil management impact on soil properties, runoff generation and element losses in horticultural cropland in Dalmatia (Croatia)

This research aimed to determine the effect of different soil management in horticultural cropland on a slope. The study is conducted in Polača (44°00’ N ; 15°29’ E), Croatia, on clay with rock fragments soil Calcaric Leptosol. Rainfall simulation experiments (intensity 60 mm h-1), measurements and soil sampling (0-10 cm) were conducted in three seasons (Spring, Summer, and Autumn) on 4 studied treatments. Tilled, barley straw mulched (2.5 t ha-1), hay mulched (2.5 t ha-1), and grass cover to determine soil physical and chemical properties, hydrological response, and pollutant losses. The bulk density (BD) was not significantly different between the treatments in all three seasons, while seasonally, the re-compaction status increased from Spring (1.4 g cm-3) and Summer (1.5 g cm-3) to Autumn (1.7 g cm-3). Water stable aggregates (WSA) and soil organic matter (SOM) were significantly higher on the grass-covered and mulched treatments than at tilled treatments. Significantly higher copper (472 kg ha-1), potassium (16045 kg ha-1), and phosphorus (1413 kg ha-1) concentrations in soil were noted on the tilled treatment in Spring but lower in Summer and Autumn when compared to grass-covered and mulched treatments. Time to ponding (TP) and Time to runoff (TR) were significantly higher on the Hay treatment in Spring (330 sec, 1800 sec) and Autumn (193 sec, 672 sec), while in Summer, there were no differences between the treatments. This affected the soil loss (SL), which was significantly higher on the tilled treatment in Spring (497.07 kg ha-1) and Autumn (176.31 kg ha-1). Results obtained in this study show in Autumn that the application of barley straw, hay and permanent grass cover had increased SOM, WSA, TP and TR, while it reduced P losses (by 269.11 %), K losses (by 153.78 %) and Cu losses (by 115.82 %) compared to tilled treatment. The results showed that barley straw, hay and permanent grass coverage are effective nature- based solutions to prevent soil loss.

soil management, trace elements, rainfall simulator, mulching

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