engleski

Tillage erosion in growing arable crops

Water erosion continues to be a primary cause of soil degradation and the soil loss throughout the world. Our objectives were to quantify water erosion (referred as soil loss) during the 15-year investigation cycle (1995-2009) on Stagnic Luvisols, in central Croatia, under common agricultural crops grown in six tillage treatments. The largest erosion in the 15-year period was recorded in the control treatment. Following was the variant that involved ploughing and sowing up and down the slope. Much lower soil losses were recorded in no-tillage treatments and treatments with ploughing and sowing across the slope. Much higher soil losses were recorded in growing of spring row crops (Maize and Soybean) than in autumn crops (Wheat and Oilseed rape). In growing of spring row crops, soil losses were not evenly distributed during crop growing, quite contrary. The period of seedbed preparation, or the period immediately after sowing spring crops is the most critical period with the highest risk of erosion. In growing of spring crops, this is the period when over 80% of the overall annual soil loss occurs in all tillage treatments. In growing of high density autumn crops, no critical periods were observed and water erosion was insignificant. Investigation results show that an adequate choice of the tillage method and growing referred crops in hilly region may efficiently protect the soils at the slope. In other words, the choice of tilling direction and crops is a key issue in creation of environment-friendly land management in that area.

Soil loss, Crops, Tillage

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