DOI: https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/21.3.2810
Original scientific paper
Tillage-induced impacts on the soil properties, soil water erosion, and loss of nutrients in the vineyard (Central Croatia)
2020, 21 (3) p. 589-601
Abstract
Eroded lands have deteriorated soil physical, chemical, and biological properties which reduces their productivity and represents a great threat to environmental safety and ecosystem stability. This study aims to investigate the soil management effect on the soil properties and conversely on soil erosion in vineyards by comparing tilled (TV) and permanently grass-covered vineyard (GCV) plots. The study vineyard is located in Sisak – Moslavina County, Croatia (45°31’ N, 16°43’ E). The fieldwork comprised of 8 rainfall simulations, soil sampling, and collection of overland flow. The results showed that TV plots had lower (P<0.05) soil organic matter content (SOM) (2.80%), mean weight diameter (MWD) (2.56 mm), and water-stable aggregates content (WSA) (53.1%) compared to GCV. Ponding time (PT) and runoff time (RT) were lower on the TV which caused longer outflow time and increased total water runoff (WR) and sediment loss (SL). The TV had 745.4 times higher SL than GCV (TV 6.87 t/ha compared to GCV 0.0092 t/ha). Higher SL resulted in higher nutrient losses on TV. Tillage is recognized as unsustainable practice on the study area and a key factor for increased soil erodibility and potential environmental hazards by high nutrient losses.
Keywords
soil management, rainfall simulations, agroecosystem sustainability
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