IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i3p2019-d1042794.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Effects of Counter Tillage and Slope Gradient on Nutrient Losses on Sloping Farmland

Author

Listed:
  • Shuning Lu

    (Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
    State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China)

  • Chong Yao

    (Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
    State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China)

  • Faqi Wu

    (State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
    College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China)

Abstract

Counter tillage is a typical cultivation practice on the Loess Plateau, which can influence the soil erosion process by intercepting runoff and increasing infiltration. However, few studies have investigated the mechanisms of nutrient losses associated with counter tillage. This study was conducted to reveal the effects of counter tillage and slope gradient on the soil nutrient loss mechanism on sloping farmland. In this study, the rainfall simulation was conducted with a rainfall intensity of 90 mm·h −1 and with five slope gradients (5.24%, 8.75%, 17.63%, 26.79%, 36.40%). The runoff plots involved the counter tillage (CT) and traditional plow (CK), in order to investigate the characteristics of soil erosion and available phosphorus (AP), ammonium nitrogen (NH 4 + -N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO 3 − -N) losses. The soil erosion characteristics included the time until runoff generation, RR (runoff rate), and SR (sediment rate); the nutrient loss characteristics included nutrient loss concentrations, nutrient loss and nutrient loss rate in runoff or sediment. The results indicated that the RR and SR with a slope gradient of 5.24~26.79% on CT decreased by 11.77~94.92% and 20.69~99.27%, respectively, compared with that of CK. As the slope gradient increased (36.40%), a break in the ridge occurred and the reduction in the RR and SR was weakened; this was likely to be close to that of the CK. Nutrient losses differed significantly between different slope gradients and tillage practices. Nutrient losses increased with an increasing slope gradient. The nutrient losses of AP, NH 4 + -N, and NO 3 − -N in runoff, with the slope gradient of 36.40%, increased 75.75%, 76.34%, 75.63%; meanwhile, in sediment, it increased 32.93, 30.70, 32.18 times, compared with the slope gradient of 5.24% on CT. The CT with the slope gradient of 5.24~26.79% had a good effect in controlling nutrient losses; however, for the slope gradient of 36.40%, the effects of CT in controlling nutrient losses decreased. The nutrient loss rate and RR or SR satisfied a linear positive correlation. The reduction benefits of nutrient losses on CT in runoff and sediment can reach 57.7% to 100% and 45.5% to 100%, respectively. In conclusion, CT is an effective tillage practice to control soil erosion and nutrient losses. This study can provide a reference for soil erosion and nutrient loss control on sloping farmland on the Loess Plateau.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuning Lu & Chong Yao & Faqi Wu, 2023. "Effects of Counter Tillage and Slope Gradient on Nutrient Losses on Sloping Farmland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:3:p:2019-:d:1042794
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/3/2019/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/3/2019/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cherobim, Verediana Fernanda & Huang, Chi-Hua & Favaretto, Nerilde, 2017. "Tillage system and time post-liquid dairy manure: Effects on runoff, sediment and nutrients losses," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 96-103.
    2. Taoyan Dai & Liquan Wang & Tienan Li & Pengpeng Qiu & Jun Wang, 2022. "Study on the Characteristics of Soil Erosion in the Black Soil Area of Northeast China under Natural Rainfall Conditions: The Case of Sunjiagou Small Watershed," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-16, July.
    3. Liu, Y. & Tao, Y. & Wan, K.Y. & Zhang, G.S. & Liu, D.B. & Xiong, G.Y. & Chen, F., 2012. "Runoff and nutrient losses in citrus orchards on sloping land subjected to different surface mulching practices in the Danjiangkou Reservoir area of China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 34-40.
    4. Wallace, C.B. & Burton, M.G. & Hefner, S.G. & DeWitt, T.A., 2013. "Effect of preceding rainfall on sediment, nutrients, and bacteria in runoff from biosolids and mineral fertilizer applied to a hayfield in a mountainous region," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 113-118.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yi Wang & Xinliang Liu & Yantai Gan & Yong Li & Ying Zhao, 2023. "Conversion of Forest Hillslopes into Tea Fields Increases Soil Nutrient Losses through Surface Runoff," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Li, Zhi-guo & Gu, Chi-ming & Zhang, Run-hua & Ibrahim, Mohamed & Zhang, Guo-shi & Wang, Li & Zhang, Run-qin & Chen, Fang & Liu, Yi, 2017. "The benefic effect induced by biochar on soil erosion and nutrient loss of slopping land under natural rainfall conditions in central China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 145-150.
    3. Sumaryanto & Sri Hery Susilowati & Fitri Nurfatriani & Herlina Tarigan & Erwidodo & Tahlim Sudaryanto & Henri Wira Perkasa, 2022. "Determinants of Farmers’ Behavior towards Land Conservation Practices in the Upper Citarum Watershed in West Java, Indonesia," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-21, October.
    4. Jixian Mo & Jie Li & Ziying Wang & Ziwei Song & Jingyi Feng & Yanjing Che & Jiandong Rong & Siyu Gu, 2023. "Spatiotemporal Evolution of Wind Erosion and Ecological Service Assessments in Northern Songnen Plain, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-20, March.
    5. Cherobim, Verediana Fernanda & Favaretto, Nerilde & de Freitas Melo, Vander & Barth, Gabriel & Huang, Chi-Hua, 2018. "Soil surface sealing by liquid dairy manure affects saturated hydraulic conductivity of Brazilian Oxisols," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 193-196.
    6. Hao Cheng & Chen Lin & Liangjie Wang & Junfeng Xiong & Lingyun Peng & Chenxi Zhu, 2020. "The Influence of Different Forest Characteristics on Non-point Source Pollution: A Case Study at Chaohu Basin, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-19, March.
    7. Cherobim, Verediana Fernanda & Favaretto, Nerilde & Melo, Vander de Freitas & Rumbelsperger, Anelize Manuela Bahniuk & Huang, Chi-Hua, 2019. "Soil surface sealing by liquid dairy manure as analysed by X-ray computed tomography," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 213(C), pages 742-748.
    8. Dai, Cuiting & Liu, Yaojun & Wang, Tianwei & Li, Zhaoxia & Zhou, Yiwen, 2018. "Exploring optimal measures to reduce soil erosion and nutrient losses in southern China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 41-48.
    9. repec:zbw:inwedp:542013 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Chao Liu & Han Li & Jiuzhe Xu & Weijun Gao & Xiang Shen & Sheng Miao, 2023. "Applying Convolutional Neural Network to Predict Soil Erosion: A Case Study of Coastal Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-21, January.
    11. H. Zhang & Q. Liu & X. Yu & L. Wang, 2014. "Influences of mulching durations on soil erosion and nutrient losses in a peanut (Arachis hypogaea)-cultivated land," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 72(2), pages 1175-1187, June.
    12. Minghao Mo & Zhao Liu & Jie Yang & Yuejun Song & Anguo Tu & Kaitao Liao & Jie Zhang, 2019. "Water and sediment runoff and soil moisture response to grass cover in sloping citrus land, Southern China," Soil and Water Research, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 14(1), pages 10-21.
    13. Nan Jiang & Fojun Yao & Tao Liu & Zhuo Chen & Chen Hu & Xinxia Geng, 2023. "Estimating the Soil Erosion Response to Land-Use Change Using GIS-Based RUSLE and Remote Sensing: A Case Study of Heilongjiang Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, May.
    14. Okeyo, A.I. & Mucheru-Muna, M. & Mugwe, J. & Ngetich, K.F. & Mugendi, D.N. & Diels, J. & Shisanya, C.A., 2014. "Effects of selected soil and water conservation technologies on nutrient losses and maize yields in the central highlands of Kenya," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 52-58.
    15. Wang, Wei & Wu, Xiaohong & Yin, Chunmei & Xie, Xiaoli, 2019. "Nutrition loss through surface runoff from slope lands and its implications for agricultural management," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 226-231.
    16. Zhang, Qingwen & Liu, Dinghui & Cheng, Shanghong & Huang, Xinjun, 2016. "Combined effects of runoff and soil erodibility on available nitrogen losses from sloping farmland affected by agricultural practices," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 1-8.
    17. Li, Tianyang & Zhang, Yi & He, Binghui & Wu, Xiaoyu & Du, Yingni, 2022. "Nitrate loss by runoff in response to rainfall amount category and different combinations of fertilization and cultivation in sloping croplands," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    18. Hermine Mitter & Mathias Kirchner & Erwin Schmid & Martin Schönhart, 2013. "Knowledge integration of stakeholders into bio-physical process modelling for regional vulnerability assessment," Working Papers 542013, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Institute for Sustainable Economic Development.
    19. Tianxiao Li & Pengfei Yu & Dong Liu & Qiang Fu & Renjie Hou & Hang Zhao & Song Xu & Yutian Zuo & Ping Xue, 2021. "Effects of Biochar on Sediment Transport and Rill Erosion after Two Consecutive Years of Seasonal Freezing and Thawing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-17, June.
    20. Tu, Anguo & Xie, Songhua & Zheng, Haijin & Li, Hongren & Li, Ying & Mo, Minghao, 2021. "Long-term effects of living grass mulching on soil and water conservation and fruit yield of citrus orchard in south China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 252(C).
    21. Panigrahi, P. & Srivastava, A.K. & Pradhan, S., 2021. "Runoff and soil conservation effects in Nagpur mandarin orchard under a sub-humid tropical climate of central India," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:3:p:2019-:d:1042794. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.