Watershed-scale assessment of soil quality in the loess hills of southwest Iowa

Soil quality is a concept that integrates soil biological, chemical and physical factors into a framework for soil resource evaluation. Conventional tillage practices can result in a loss of soil organic matter and decreased soil quality. The potential for soil quality degradation with tillage may vary depending upon landscape position and the spatial distribution of critical soil properties. Information on how to accurately integrate soil spatial information across fields, landscapes and watersheds is lacking in the literature. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of conventional and ridge-tillage on soil quality in three small watersheds at the Deep Loess Research Station near the town of Treynor in southwest Iowa. Soil types included Monona silt loams in summit positions, Ida or Dow silt loams in backslope positions, and Napier or Kennebec silt loams in footslope positions. We removed surface soil cores from transects placed along topographic gradients in each watershed and quantified total soil organic C (SOC), total soil N (TN), particulate organic matter C (POM-C) and N (POM-N), microbial biomass C (MB-C), N mineralization potential (PMIN-N), nitrate N, extractable P and K, pH, water-stable macroaggregates (WSA), and bulk density (BD). We used terrain analysis methods to group the data into landform element classes to evaluate the effect of topographic position on soil quality. Results indicate that soil quality is higher under long-term ridge-tillage compared with conventional tillage. Soil quality differences were consistently documented among the three watersheds by: (1) quantification of soil indicator variables, (2) calculation of soil quality index values, and (3) comparison of indicator variable and index results with independent assessments of soil function endpoints (i.e. sediment loss, water partitioning at the soil surface, and crop yield). Soil quality differences under ridge-till were found specifically for the backslope and shoulder landform elements, suggesting that soil quality increases on these landform elements are responsible for higher watershed-scale soil quality in the ridge-tilled watershed.     

黑土坡耕地横坡垄作对减少径流及土壤有机碳流失的作用

东北黑土坡耕地受土壤侵蚀和习惯顺坡耕作措施的影响,水土流失严重,土壤有机碳含量呈逐年下降趋势.针对东北黑土坡耕地不同垄作措施水土流失及土壤有机碳变化特征不明确的问题,采用田间定位试验的方法,探究了顺坡垄作和横坡垄作对坡耕地水土流失及土壤有机碳变化的影响.结果表明:(1)横坡垄作相对于顺坡垄作能显著减少径流总量97.1％...     

Characterization of soil profiles in a landscape affected by long-term tillage

Soil movement by tillage redistributes soil within the profile and throughout the landscape, resulting in soil removal from convex slope positions and soil accumulation in concave slope positions. Previous investigations of the spatial variability in surface soil properties and crop yield in a glacial till landscape in west central Minnesota indicated that wheat (Triticum aestivum) yields were decreased in upper hillslope positions affected by high soil erosion loss. In the present study, soil cores were collected and characterized to indicate the effects of long-term intensive tillage on soil properties as a function of depth and tillage erosion. This study provides quantitative measures of the chemical and physical properties of soil profiles in a landscape subject to prolonged tillage erosion, and compares the properties of soil profiles in areas of differing rates of tillage erosion and an uncultivated hillslope. These comparisons emphasize the influence of soil translocation within the landscape by tillage on soil profile characteristics. Soil profiles in areas subject to soil loss by tillage erosion >20 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ were characterized by truncated profiles, a shallow depth to the C horizon (mean upper boundary 75 cm from the soil surface), a calcic subsoil and a tilled layer containing 19 g kg⁻¹ of inorganic carbon. In contrast, profiles in areas of soil accumulation by tillage >10 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ exhibited thick sola with low inorganic carbon content (mean 3 g kg⁻¹) and a large depth to the C horizon (usually >1.5 m below the soil surface). When compared to areas of soil accumulation, organic carbon, total nitrogen and Olsen-extractable phosphorus contents measured lower, whereas inorganic carbon content, pH and soil strength measured higher throughout the profile in eroded landscape positions because of the reduced soil organic matter content and the influence of calcic subsoil material. The mean surface soil organic carbon and total nitrogen contents in cultivated areas (regardless of erosion status) were less than half that measured in an uncultivated area, indicating that intensive tillage and cropping has significantly depleted the surface soil organic matter in this landscape. Prolonged intensive tillage and cropping at this site has effectively removed at least 20 cm of soil from the upper hillslope positions.     

垄作与垄向区田技术对黑土区坡耕地土壤侵蚀影响的研究进展

东北黑土区在中国粮食安全与可持续发展中占据重要地位,但过度开发利用导致该区土壤侵蚀问题严峻。耕作方式的差异直接影响黑土区坡耕地土壤侵蚀特征,相关研究的开展对于准确评价水土保持措施的适宜性具有重要意义。该研究通过系统梳理文献资料,总结了垄向、垄规格以及垄向区田技术的内涵及应用条件,分别综述了其对黑土区坡耕地土壤侵蚀的影响;指出了目前研究中还存在垄作与垄向区田技术对坡耕地土壤侵蚀影响的机理研究不深、垄向与垄规格之间的耦合关系分析不细、垄向区田垄沟土埂优化设计不足、土壤侵蚀综合影响因素探索不全等方面主要问题;明确了未来研究中应加强量化垄向、垄规格、垄向区田技术与其他水土保持措施相结合对黑土区坡耕地土壤侵蚀影响的过程与机理,为筛选适宜的水土保持耕作措施提供科学依据。     

Strip-tillage effect on seedbed soil temperature and other soil physical properties

The no-tillage system is perceived as having lower soil temperatures, wetter soil conditions, and greater surface penetration resistance compared with conventional and other conservation tillage systems. Concerns associated with the effect of the no-tillage system on certain soil physical properties (i.e. soil temperature, moisture, and compaction) prompted this study to evaluate the effect of an alternative tillage system, strip-tillage, on these physical properties, compared with chisel plow and no-tillage systems. The study was conducted on two Iowa State University research and demonstration farms in 2001 and 2002. One site was at the Marsden Farm near Ames, where the soils were Nicollet loam (Aquic Hapludolls) and Webster silty clay loam (Typic Haplaquolls). The second site was at the Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Nashua, where the soils were Kenyon loam (Typic Hapludolls) and Floyd loam (Aquic Hapludolls).Soil temperature increased in the top 5 cm under strip-tillage (1.2–1.4 °C) over no-tillage and it remained close to the chisel plow soil temperature. This increase in soil temperature contributed to an improvement in plant emergence rate index (ERI) under strip-tillage compared with no-tillage. The results show no significant differences in soil moisture status between the three tillage systems, although the strip-tillage soil profile has slightly greater moisture content than chisel plow. Moisture content through the soil profile particularly at the lower depths under all tillage treatments was greater than the plant available water (PAW). However, the changes in soil moisture storage were much greater with strip-tillage and chisel plow than no-tillage from post-emergence to preharvest at 0–30 and 0–120 cm. It was observed also that most change in soil moisture storage occurred between post-emergence and tasseling. Penetration resistance was similar for both strip-tillage and no-tillage, but commonly greater than chisel plow. In general, the findings show that strip-tillage can contribute effectively to improve plant emergence, similar to chisel plowing and conserve soil moisture effectively compared with no-tillage.     

垄作方式对薄层黑土区坡面土壤侵蚀的影响

定量评价垄作方式对坡面土壤侵蚀的影响,可为坡面土壤侵蚀防治提供理论参考。基于2012—2015年哈尔滨市野外径流小区监测资料,探讨了顺坡垄、横坡垄、无垄作(裸地休闲对照)垄作方式对坡面土壤侵蚀的影响,分析了不同垄作方式下坡面水沙关系。结果表明:不同垄作方式下径流量和侵蚀量均具有显著差异,坡面径流量和侵蚀量均表现为无垄顺坡垄横坡垄;与无垄作试验处理相比,横坡垄作使坡面径流量和侵蚀量平均减少了92.4%和98.3%,顺坡垄作使坡面径流量和侵蚀量平均减少66.4%和72.2%。当坡度由3°增加到5°时,无垄作、顺坡垄作、横坡垄作坡面侵蚀量分别增加了0.8,8.2,5.5倍。3种垄作方式下坡面水沙关系均呈现出良好的相关关系,顺坡垄作和无垄作坡面侵蚀量随径流量的增加幅度远大于横坡垄作坡面,当坡面径流量10.0mm时,二者坡面侵蚀量急剧增加。     

东北黑土区坡耕地斜坡垄作与顺坡垄作土壤侵蚀的对比分析

斜坡垄作是东北黑土区最普遍的垄作方式之一,但当前关于斜坡垄作对坡耕地土壤侵蚀的影响鲜见报道。为此,本研究基于室内模拟试验,设计2个降雨强度（50和100 mm/h）以及2种垄作方式（斜坡垄作和顺坡垄作）,分析东北黑土区坡耕地斜坡垄作与顺坡垄作坡面土壤侵蚀的差异。结果表明：（1）在50和100 mm/h降雨强度下,斜坡垄作断垄前坡面侵蚀速率分别是顺坡垄作的0.46%和0.35%;但在45 min的降雨过程中,由于斜坡垄作发生断垄现象,造成50和100 mm/h两种降雨强度下斜坡垄作坡面侵蚀速率分别是顺坡垄作的1.24和1.03倍。（2）斜坡垄作径流强度和侵蚀速率随降雨历时的变化均从断垄开始发生突变。在50和100 mm/h降雨强度下,随着降雨历时的变化斜坡垄作断垄前的径流强度和侵蚀速率值均低于顺坡垄作,其平均径流强度分别为顺坡垄作的8.42%和3.75%、平均侵蚀速率分别为顺坡垄作的0.46%和0.35%,但斜坡垄作断垄后坡面径流和侵蚀速率明显增大,其平均径流强度分别为顺坡垄作的1.33和1.47倍、平均侵蚀速率分别是顺坡垄作的2.03和1.62倍。（3）在50和100 mm/h降雨强度下,斜坡垄作断垄前坡面径流量和侵蚀量存在显著的线性关系（P<0.01）,而断垄后两者的相关关系则不显著（P>0.05）;而顺坡垄作在两种降雨强度下坡面径流量和侵蚀量存在显著的线性关系。（4）在两种降雨强度下斜坡垄作坡面90%以上的径流泥沙均来自断垄后。因此,提高垄丘稳定性和防止断垄现象发生,是减少斜坡垄作坡面土壤侵蚀的关键所在。     

Modeling the impacts of soil management practices on runoff, sediment yield, maize productivity, and soil organic carbon using APEX

Simulation models are increasingly used to analyze the impact of agricultural management at the watershed-scale. In this study, the Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model was tested using long-term (1976–1995) data from two watersheds (W2 and W3) at the USDA Deep Loess Research Station near Treynor, Iowa. The two watersheds were cropped with continuous corn (Zea mays L.) and managed with conventional-tillage at W2 (34.4 ha) and ridge-till at W3 (43.3 ha). The monthly runoff and sediment yield were calibrated for the two watersheds during 1976–1987 by adjusting the curve numbers, curve number index coefficient, RUSLE C factor exponential residue and height coefficients, and erosion control practice factor for grassed waterways. Soil organic carbon values in the top 0.15 m soil layer were calibrated for the two watersheds in 1984 by adjusting the microbial decay rate coefficient. Model validation was conducted from 1988 to 1995. The calibrated model was able to reasonably replicate the monthly and yearly surface runoff and sediment yield for both watersheds for the validation period, with Nash–Sutcliffe efficiencies (EF) larger than 0.62 except for the EF of 0.41 for monthly sediment yield comparison at W3. The errors between the predicted and observed means were all within ±6% for runoff and sediment yield; predicted soil organic carbon in the 0.15 m soils in 1994 were within 10% of the observed values for both watersheds. The percentage error between the predicted and observed average corn grain yields was −5.3% at W2 and −2.7% at W3 during the 20-year simulation period. Scenario analyses were also conducted to assess the benefits of ridge-till over conventional-tillage. Over the 20 years, the predicted benefit of ridge-till versus conventional-tillage on surface runoff reduction was 36% in W2 and 39% in W3, and about 82–86% sediment yield reduction in both watersheds. The cumulative soil organic carbon losses from sediment were reduced about 63–67%. The long-term benefit of ridge-till over conventional-tillage was also quantified as a minimum corn grain yield increase of 3.8%. The results of this study indicate that APEX has the ability to predict differences between the two tillage systems. The modeling approach can be extended to other watersheds to examine the impacts of different tillage systems.     

Water management in various crop production systems related to soil tillage

Soil tillage, of different types and intensity and performed at different antecedent soil moisture conditions, is an important tool for agricultural water management. Tillage systems have important applications for increasing irrigation efficiency, enhancing the effectiveness of drainage systems, improving water quality, decreasing runoff losses and minimizing soil erosion, increasing runoff losses for water harvesting and supplemental irrigation, and decreasing percolation losses and creating aquatic environments for rice cultivation. The versatility and diversity of applications of tillage systems depend on the choice of tillage techniques. No-tillage methods with residue mulches are useful to conserve soil water. Chisel tillage and subsoiling methods along with ridge-tillage techniques are useful in increasing irrigation efficiency. No-tillage systems are useful in decreasing sediment density and transport of sediment laden pollutants in runoff, and puddling and wet tillage techniques or soil compaction are used in rice cultivation. Finally soil compaction and techniques to increase water repellence are useful for water harvesting for subsequent use in supplemental irrigation.     

Bulk density as a soil quality indicator during conversion to no-tillage

Producers often identify compaction as an important problem, so bulk density is usually included in minimum data sets used to evaluate tillage and crop management effects on soil quality. The hypothesis for this study was that bulk density and associated water content would be useful soil quality indicators for evaluating the transitional effects associated with changing tillage and crop management practices on deep-loess soils. The study was conducted on three deep-loess, field-scale watersheds located in western Iowa, USA. The soils are classified as Haplic Phaeozems, Cumulic-Haplic Phaeozems, and Calcaric Regosols. Watersheds 1 and 2 were converted in 1996 from conventional tillage to no-tillage, while watershed 3 was maintained using ridge-tillage and continuous corn (Zea mays L.), a practice implemented in 1972. Watershed 1 was converted to a corn—soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) rotation while watershed 2 was converted to a 6-year rotation that included corn, soybean, corn plus 3 years of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Bulk density and water content were measured at three landscape positions (summit, side-slope, and toe-slope), in 20 mm increments to a depth of 300 mm, five times between September 1996 and May 2000. Organic C and total N were also measured to a depth of 160 mm during the initial sampling. Neither bulk density nor water content showed any significant differences between the two watersheds being converted to no-tillage or between them and the ridge-till watershed. There also were no significant differences among landscape positions. Bulk densities and water contents showed some differences when adjacent sampling dates were compared, but there was no overall or consistent trend. Our results show that bulk density is not a useful soil quality indicator for these soils within the bulk density range encountered (0.8–1.6 Mg m³). Our results also confirm that producers do not necessarily have to worry about increased compaction when using ridge-tillage or changing from conventional to no-tillage practices on these or similar deep-loess soils.     

Quantifying seedbed condition using soil physical properties

Soil physical condition following tillage influences crop yield, but the desired condition cannot be adequately evaluated with current techniques. This study was conducted to determine a soil condition index (SCI) that could be used to select the type of implement needed to achieve an optimal seedbed with minimum energy input. Effects of bulk density, moisture content, and penetration resistance resulting from three tillage systems (no-till, chisel plow and moldboard plow), on the growth of corn (Zea mays L.) were studied. The experiment was conducted in Boone County, Ames, IA, on soils that are mostly Aquic Hapludolls, Typic Haplaquolls and Typic Hapludolls with slopes ranging from 0 to 5%. The results are from the 2000 season, which had normal weather conditions and yield levels for the Iowa state. The average corn grain yield at this site was 9.36 Mg/ha. At the V2 corn growth stage, the average dry biomass was 1.34 g per plant. The soil physical properties were normalized with respect to reference values and combined via multiple regression analysis against corn biomass at V2 stage into the SCI. Mean SCI values for the no-till, chisel and moldboard plow treatments were 0.86, 0.76, and 0.73, respectively, all with a standard error of 0.0127. The lower the SCI, the more optimum the soil physical conditions. An analysis of variance showed significant differences among mean SCI for each treatment (p-value=0.001). The use of the SCI could improve the tillage decision-making process in environments similar the one studied.     

东北黑土区坡耕地斜坡垄作与顺坡垄作土壤侵蚀对比分析

斜坡垄作是东北黑土区最普遍的垄作方式之一,但当前关于斜坡垄作对坡耕地土壤侵蚀的影响鲜见报道。为此,基于室内模拟试验,设计2个降雨强度(50,100 mm/h)和2种垄作方式(斜坡垄作和顺坡垄作),分析东北黑土区坡耕地斜坡垄作与顺坡垄作坡面土壤侵蚀的差异。结果表明:(1)在50,100 mm/h降雨强度下,斜坡垄作断垄前坡面侵蚀速率分别是顺坡垄作的0.46%和0.35%;但在45 min的降雨过程中,由于斜坡垄作发生断垄现象,造成50,100 mm/h降雨强度下斜坡垄作坡面侵蚀速率分别是顺坡垄作的1.24,1.03倍。(2)斜坡垄作径流强度和侵蚀速率随降雨历时的变化均从断垄开始发生突变。在50,100 mm/h降雨强度下,随着降雨历时的变化,斜坡垄作断垄前的径流强度和侵蚀速率值均低于顺坡垄作,其平均径流强度分别为顺坡垄作的8.42%和3.75%;平均侵蚀速率分别为顺坡垄作的0.46%和0.35%;但斜坡垄作断垄后坡面径流和侵蚀速率明显增大,其平均径流强度分别为顺坡垄作的1.33,1.47倍,平均侵蚀速率分别是顺坡垄作的2.03,1.62倍。(3)在50,100 mm/h降雨强度下,斜坡垄作断垄前坡面径流量和侵蚀量存在极显著的线性关系(P<0.01),而断垄后两者的相关关系则不显著(P>0.05);而顺坡垄作在2种降雨强度下坡面径流量和侵蚀量存在极显著的线性关系。(4)在2种降雨强度下斜坡垄作坡面90%以上的径流泥沙均来自断垄后。因此,提高垄丘稳定性和防止断垄现象发生,是减少斜坡垄作坡面土壤侵蚀的关键所在。     

The long-term effect of tillage on soil displacement of hilly areas used for growing wheat in Greece

Abstract. Tillage displaces large amounts of soil from upper slopes and deposits soil in lower landscape positions, greatly affecting productivity in these areas. The long-term effect of tillage on soil erosion was studied in four field sites growing mainly rainfed wheat. The soil loss from landscape positions with slopes, ranging from 3 to 28%, was estimated by: (a) comparing data of horizon thickness described at the same position at different times; and (b) using soil movement tracers added to the soil. Existing empirical relationships were used for estimating soil loss by tillage and runoff water, and loss in wheat biomass production. The experimental data showed soil losses of 0.4 to 1.4 cm yr^–1 depending on slope gradient, plough depth, and tillage direction. In two of the sites, soil depth has been reduced by 24–30 cm in a period of 63 years. The mean soil displacement of the plough layer (30 cm thick), measured by soil movement tracers, ranged from 31 to 95 cm yr^–1 depending mainly on slope gradient, corresponding to a rate of soil loss of 0.3 cm to 1.4 cm yr^–1. Soil eroded from the upper slopes was deposited on the lower slopes increasing soil thickness by 0.4 cm to 1.4 cm yr^–1. The application of empirical relationships, estimating soil loss by tillage and water runoff, showed that soil erosion at the field sites can be mainly attributed to tillage. The loss in wheat biomass production due to erosion was estimated at 26% on upper slopes for a period of 63 years, while a 14.5% increase in wheat production was estimated due to deposition of soil material in the lower landscape.     

Derivation of site-related measures to minimise soil erosion on the watershed scale in the Saxonian loess belt using the model EROSION 3D

The Saxonian loess belt is one of the areas in Germany most endangered by water erosion. As consequence of extreme rainstorms, farmland and adjacent areas, e.g. villages, roads, biotopes and watercourses, are repeatedly damaged. Estimating soil loss is a crucial factor for sustainable land use planning in this region. Since soil erosion measurements are usually conducted at the scale of plots, thereby being both costly as well as time-consuming, erosion models are substantial tools for soil protection policies. This paper summarises and integrates the results of a research project aimed at assessing the present situation as well as that of future landscape planning alternatives, using the physically based EROSION 3D simulation model on a catchment scale. EROSION 3D can estimate the yields of sediment for small watersheds and enables environmental researchers and planners to locate the main areas of soil loss and deposition. Five different scenarios based on past and present land use information as well as future landscape 2 planning alternatives were simulated.The modelling results showed that scenarios based on only one option for minimising soil loss were not sufficiently effective in reducing sediment production. However, the combination of active soil protection measures such as conservation tillage with passive measures like grassed waterways or buffer strips resulted in an adequate soil protection. In contrast to passive protection measures, best management practices like non-tillage systems are commonly used in the Saxonian loess belt already. Thus, the implementation of passive measures is an important future task in land use planning. Simulation models like EROSION 3D can provide the information needed for the adequate localisation and the dimensioning of site-specific measures.     

Rare earth element oxides for tracing sediment movement

The development of soil conservation plans and evaluation of spatially distributed erosion models require knowledge of rates of soil loss and sedimentation on different landscape elements and slope positions. Characterization of soil erosion rates and patterns within watersheds is important for the understanding of erosion processes and landscape evolution. Experimental data that show spatial translocation of soil on slopes are limited. A method for obtaining spatially distributed information on sediment movement employing rare earth element (REE) oxides is proposed. Five REE oxides in powder form were uniformly mixed with the soil on different parts of a 10% slope in a 4×4 m soil bed. Particle translocation was measured during eight simulated rainfalls at 60 mm h⁻¹ intensity. A laser scanner was utilized to obtain digital elevation models (DEMs) of the soil surface that were used as the reference data to compare with the tracer method. REE concentration in soil and runoff samples was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Erosion rates for different slope positions estimated from REE concentrations correlated with those calculated from the DEMs with relative differences for different slope sections of 4–40%. The enrichment ratio for this type of tracer was 1.7. The amount of sediment produced on different parts of the slope varied, with the greatest erosion occurring on the upper-middle part of the slope. The experiment showed that the multi-element tracer method provided a satisfactory way to study soil erosion distribution on a uniform slope.     

Modelling tillage erosion in the topographically complex landscapes of southwestern Ontario, Canada

A tillage erosion model was developed for southwestern Ontario based on the relationship between tillage translocation and slope gradient and slope curvature. Two studies of tillage translocation and tillage erosion were used to calibrate this model, one a comparison of upslope and downslope tillage translocation on shoulder slopes, the other an examination of tillage translocation throughout topographically complex landscapes. Two field sites were used for validation of the model. For both sites, past tillage practices were known and past soil erosion was determined using ¹³⁷Cs as an indicator of soil redistribution. The model accurately predicted the pattern of soil redistribution that had occurred within the two field sites. Severe soil loss was observed and predicted on convex landscape positions and soil accumulation was observed and predicted on concave landscape positions. The model accounted for almost all of the soil lost from the convex upper slope positions where tillage erosion was expected to be the dominant erosion process. There was considerable soil loss and accumulation elsewhere in the landscapes which could not be accounted for by the model and was presumed to be primarily the result of water erosion. It was concluded that tillage erosion must be incorporated into soil erosion modelling for the purposes of soil conservation.     

南方红壤坡地不同耕作措施的水土保持效应

为解决南方红壤地区坡耕地水土流失问题,采用野外标准径流小区试验方法对南方红壤坡地常见的顺坡间作、横坡间作、果园清耕3种不同耕作方式下5 a时间水土保持蓄水保土效应进行了研究。结果表明,与对照小区相比,各试验小区减流率优劣次序为：横坡间作小区（75.33%）＞顺坡间作小区（59.56%）＞果园清耕小区（21.73%）,减沙效应优劣次序为横坡间作（80.57%）＞顺坡间作（65.11%）＞果园清耕（38.08%）,且4－9月的径流量占到全年径流量的85%以上,流失泥沙量占全年流失泥沙量的90%以上。因此,套种作物增加果园覆盖是防治果园水土流失的有效措施,且横坡间作优于顺坡间作。     

裸露耕地土壤风蚀物化学组分的分布特征

为研究风蚀引起的土壤营养物质的流失,进一步理清土壤沙化的原因及机理,该文以内蒙古阴山北部的典型农牧交错带耕地为试验区,采用SCC-6型集沙仪收集跃移土壤风蚀物,对收集到的土壤风蚀物进行筛分、称质量,并对表层土壤及收集的土壤风蚀物采用化学滴定及火焰原子吸收分光光度法对土壤营养物质中的主要成分及部分金属元素组成进行测定。通过分析整理,得出了风蚀物各化学组分含量、各化学组分总质量在地面垂直高度的分布规律,以及土壤各化学组分含量、土壤粒径大小与风蚀程度的相关关系;通过化学组分含量的分布规律分析进一步验证了风蚀是使细小颗粒的损失,造成土壤贫瘠的主要因素。     

Multivariate evaluation by quality indicators of no-tillage system in Argiudolls of rolling pampa (Argentina)

The purpose of this study was to develop operationally important soil quality indicators to evaluate long-term sustainability, at the farm scale, for no-tillage systems in Argiudolls of rolling pampa (Argentina). The soil was classified as series Arroyo Dulce (Typic Argiudoll), a fertile dark, deep and well-drained soil of the hills. Three situations were considered: pristine soil with grass vegetation, grassland soil (also considered as a reference situation); and 15 years no-tillage soils from four production plots. Physical, physico-chemical, chemical and biochemical indicators were considered. Data were analyzed by principal components analysis (PCA) with canonical discriminant analysis (CDA). The first three components explained 90% of the overall variation. For pristine undisturbed soil, the main variables selected by PCA were particulate C, pH, respiration and total organic C, and in the case of grassland they were C stock (mass of C in the 0–10 cm soil horizon), water-soluble C, and % silt. The no-tillage area was separated in different plots according to the degree of erosion with different depths of the A horizon. Clay content and bulk density were the main variables in the less degraded no tillage plots. Cluster analysis was applied to construct an average linkage distance dendrogram.     

不同逆坡耕作强度对干热河谷区坡耕地水蚀的影响

为了研究不同逆坡耕作强度导致的土壤位移对坡面水蚀的影响,以金沙江干热河谷区坡面径流小区为研究对象,在径流小区5°,10°,15°坡面上,进行单宽流量为0.6 m^2/h的放水试验。在10°坡面的下坡位置设置0.05,0.10,0.20 m土层深度,分别代表连续耕作80,69,46年导致下坡位置土壤损失土层变薄情况。通过收集径流小区出口的产流量和产沙量,研究在不同坡度上的不同逆坡耕作强度导致的土壤位移对坡面产流率、产沙率、总流量和总产沙量的影响。结果表明:(1)在10°坡面,耕作年限越长,产流越快,不同耕作强度(年限)的产流率、总产流量、产沙率和总产沙量均表现46年<69年<80年的变化趋势,说明长期逆坡耕作导致的土壤位移加速了坡面水蚀的发生;(2)在耕作69年的坡面,坡度越大,产流越快。在测定坡度范围,产流率、总产流量、产沙率和总产沙量均表现出5°<10°<15°的变化趋势,即坡度的增加明显增大了坡面水蚀;(3)随耕作侵蚀强度的增大,坡面产流率与产沙率间的指数增长关系越显著,而坡度的增大弱化了水沙指数函数关系。研究成果可为揭示干热河谷区逆坡耕作强度和坡度对水蚀的作用机理提供参考。