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Soil and nutrient losses by water erosion under mono-cropping and legume inter-cropping on sloping land
Abstract
Nutrient and sediment losses from agricultural activities due to soil erosion have
resulted in the loss of soil productivity and have become the dominant source of
nutrient loads to fresh water. The experiment was conducted on slopping land in
northern NWFP near Thana, Malakand Agency on permanent plots of mono-cropping
and inter-cropping to assess soil and nutrient losses in surface runoff in comparison
with bare plots. Runoff, soil and nutrient losses were monitored during both the
seasons (Rabi and Kharif) for a period of 03 years. During Rabi season, the treatments
maintained were wheat mono-cropping, barley-lentil inter-cropping and bare fallow
while the treatments maintained during Kharif season were maize mono-cropping,
maize-mungbean inter-cropping and bare fallow. The results showed that runoff, soil
loss, organic matter and nutrient losses were high from bare plots as compared to
cropped plots. In comparison with bare fallow, Inter-cropping reduced runoff and soil
losses by more than 39% and 48% respectively. Total runoff and soil loss showed
good correlation with organic matter and plant nutrient losses. The order of sediment
bound nutrient loss from all plots during the experimental period was: Organic matter
(organic carbon) > K > N > P. While the order of nutrient loss in runoff from all plots
was: K > P > N. Losses of all nutrients in surface runoff were higher as compared to
the losses of nutrients in sediment. Organic matter and nutrient losses were largely
governed by the amount of surface runoff and sediment lost. It can be concluded from
the results that inter-cropping proved effective cropping system for controlling long
term soil, runoff and nutrient losses on the slopping land. This experiment also
generated data for the construction of conservation structures in the area.
... Considering the marked decrease in the national cropland runoff volume originating from implementation of WSI technologies from 1990 to 2013 ( Figure 5), relevant WSI technologies (i.e., drip and micro-sprinkler irrigation in uplands and shallow-wet irrigation in paddy fields, [69]) should be further extended to reduce excessive runoff and associated nutrient/soil loss. Given the high rainfall ( Figure 3A) and low agricultural water-use efficiency (0.59 ± 0.13) in the EC, CC and SC regions [30], optimization of cropping systems [72] and WSI technologies should be preferentially implemented to reduce upland runoff. To mitigate paddy field runoff, it is warranted to adopt WSI technologies and cyclic irrigation technology (partially reusing runoff water as irrigation water [67]. ...
Quantitative information on regional cropland runoff is important for sustainable agricultural water quantity and quality management. This study combined the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) method and geostatistical approaches to quantify long-term (1990–2013) changes and regional spatial variations of cropland runoff in China. Estimated CN values from 17 cropland study sites across China showed reasonable agreement with default values from the National Engineering Handbook (R2 = 0.76, n = 17). Among four commonly used geostatistical interpolation methods, the inverse distance weighting (IDW) method achieved the highest accuracy (R2 = 0.67, n = 209) for prediction of cropland runoff. Using default CN values and the IDW method, estimated national annual cropland runoff volume and runoff depth in 1990–2013 were 253 ± 25 km3 yr−1 and 182 ± 15 mm yr−1, respectively. Estimated cropland runoff depth gradually increased from the drier northwest inland region to the wetter southeast coastal region (range: 2–1375 mm yr−1). Regionally, eastern, central and southern China accounted for 39% of the cultivated area and 53% of the irrigated land area and contributed to 68% of the national cropland runoff volume. In contrast, northwestern, northern, southwestern and northeastern China accounted for 61% of the cultivated area and 47% of the irrigated land area and contributed to 32% of the runoff volume. Rainfall was the main source (72%) of cropland runoff for the entire nation, while irrigation became the main source of cropland runoff in drier regions (northwestern and southwestern China). Over the 24-year study period, estimated cropland runoff depth showed no significant trends, whereas cropland runoff volume and irrigation-contributed percentages decreased by 7% and 35%, respectively, owing to implementation of water-saving irrigation technologies. To reduce excessive runoff and increase water utilization efficiencies, regionally specific water management strategies should be further promoted. As the first long-term national estimate of cropland runoff in China, this study provides a simple framework for estimating regional cropland runoff depth and volume, providing critical information for guiding developments of management practices to mitigate agricultural nonpoint source pollution, soil erosion and water scarcity.
... Considering the marked decrease in the national cropland runoff volume originating from implementation of WSI technologies from 1990 to 2013 ( Figure 5), relevant WSI technologies (i.e., drip and micro-sprinkler irrigation in uplands and shallow-wet irrigation in paddy fields, [69]) should be further extended to reduce excessive runoff and associated nutrient/soil loss. Given the high rainfall ( Figure 3A) and low agricultural water-use efficiency (0.59 ± 0.13) in the EC, CC and SC regions [30], optimization of cropping systems [72] and WSI technologies should be preferentially implemented to reduce upland runoff. To mitigate paddy field runoff, it is warranted to adopt WSI technologies and cyclic irrigation technology (partially reusing runoff water as irrigation water [67]. ...
... Legumes are recognized for their role in improving soil fertility due to their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen (Bado et al., 2006(Bado et al., , 2012Zongo et al., 2021) and their contribution to weed control (Bedoussac et al., 2015;Stomph et al., 2020;Gu et al., 2021). Intercropping also reduces soil degradation, by reducing rainwater runoff (Zougmore et al., 2000;Kariaga, 2004;Ali et al., 2007). In addition, legumes can be used to diversify diets and forage resources while making agricultural production more secure (Protin et al., 2009;Coulibaly et al., 2012;Dabat et al., 2012). ...
Sorghum is an important staple crop in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the Sudano-Sahelian zone of West Africa, sorghum is mainly intercropped with cowpea, but these intercropping systems are facing low-productivity problems. The overall aim of this research was to identify sorghum varieties with different agro-morphological and physiological traits that could improve the performance of the intercropping systems. We followed a two-step methodology comprising (i) identification of varieties and plant traits of interest in intercropping systems, using participatory methods, and (ii) agro-morpho-physiological characterization of 50 sorghum varieties, to examine the range of variation in traits of interest. The results show that landraces are the varieties most widely used by farmers, and that 82.5% of farmers consider the variety type they choose for intercropping to be important. Farmers mentioned plant height, number of leaves and stem diameter as important traits to consider. Analysis of variance showed significant differences between varieties for half of the 24 agro-morpho-physiological traits studied. Hierarchical clustering identified three main groups of varieties, distinguished by morphological traits such as stem diameter, total number and size of leaves (group 1), root traits (depth, growth angle, dry matter) and relative chlorophyll content (groups 2 and 3). Based on this classification, we recommend several varieties from each of the three groups, exhibiting contrasting traits, for an assessment of their performances in intercropping systems.
... An optimization of fertilization is beneficial on saving fertilizer usage, reducing N and P losses, and improving N and P use efficiencies (Cui et al., 2018;Qi et al., 2020). Moreover, conservation tillage possesses advantages over conventional tillage in controlling N and P losses through: (i) improving soil properties thereby decreasing nutrient mobility (Issaka et al., 2019a); (ii) reducing surface runoff velocity and increasing the retention time of the fertilizer in the top soil (Ali et al., 2007); and (iii) mitigating the extent of soil erosion by decreasing soil turbulence . ...
Surface runoff is one of the predominant routes for agricultural nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses, yet their characteristics and corresponding control measures are not fully understood. In 2019 and 2020, field-scale plot experiments were performed at Dongjiang Basin in South China to investigate the characteristics of N and P runoff losses from paddy and maize cropping systems. The results showed that N and P losses from maize fields via surface runoff (27.85 and 1.24 kg ha-1 year-1) were significantly higher than those from paddy fields (15.37 and 0.8 kg ha-1 year-1). The main forms of N losses were nitrate ( NO 3 - -N) and ammonium ( NH 4 + -N) in paddy and maize fields, respectively, whereas particulate P form predominated in surface runoff losses from both the paddy and maize fields. Considerable proportions of agricultural N and P (71-83% of the total runoff loss) were lost during basal fertilization and first topdressing application. Moreover, frequent rainfall events following fertilizer application triggered N and P losses from the monitored fields. About 26.22 and 37.48% of N fertilizer was recovered from grains and straw of paddy and maize, respectively, whereas only 12.35 and 19.51% of P fertilizer were recovered during the crop harvesting stage. Surface runoff was one of the dominant liquid pathways in N loss, whereas most of P loss (introduced from fertilizers without crops utilization) was fixed in the soil. Principal component analysis (PCA) proved that the primary sources of N and P losses were fertilizers rather than N and P in the soil. The current results suggest controlled management relating to fertilization, irrigation, and tillage strategies are effective measures for reducing N and P losses, thereby controlling agricultural non-point source pollution. It is hoped that this study will provide comprehensive field-based inputs on characteristics of N and P runoff losses and formulate appropriate control strategies to protect aquatic environments from eutrophication.
... The amount of soil detached is reduced considerably due to the presence of surface/crop cover and hence the gross soil erosion is reduced as well [23]. A number of studies have been conducted wherein it has been observed that adding vegetation cover by mulching or intercropping has reduced runoff and soil loss [24][25][26][27]. ...
Maintaining sustainable crop production on undulating, sloppy, and erodible soils in Shivalik foothills of North-west India is a challenging task. Intercropping is accepted as a highly sustainable system to reduce soil erosion and ensure sustainable production by making efficient use of resources. Field experiments were conducted in the rainy season (July to September) during 2015, 2016, and 2017 to evaluate the effect of land slopes and maize and cowpea strip-intercropping on productivity and resource conservation at the Regional Research Station, Ballowal Saunkhri located in the Shivalik foothills. During three years of experimentation, a total of 23–26 runoff events were observed in the maize crop grown in the rainy season. The results from this 3-year field study indicate that maize grain yield was significantly higher on a 1% slope and cowpea on a 2% slope. This accounted for significantly higher net returns (US$ 428 ha−1) with a benefit-cost (BC) ratio of 2.0 on a 1% slope. Runoff, soil, and nutrient losses were higher on a 3% slope as compared to 1% and 2% slopes. N, P, and K loss on a 3% slope were 3.80, 1.82, and 4.10 kg ha−1 higher, respectively than a 1% slope. The adoption of a strip-intercropping system with a 4.8 m maize strip width and 1.2 m cowpea strip width resulted in significantly higher maize equivalent yield than sole maize and other strip-intercropping systems. This system showed the highest land equivalent ratio value (1.24) indicating a 24% yield advantage over sole cropping systems of maize and cowpea, and fetched the highest net returns (US$ 530 ha−1) with a benefit-cost ratio (BC ratio) of 2.09. This system also reduced runoff and soil loss by 10.9% and 8.3%, respectively than sole maize crop. On all the land slopes, maize and cowpea strip-intercropping systems showed a significant reduction in N, P, K, and organic carbon loss as compared to sole maize. Thus, on sloping land, the maize and cowpea strip-intercropping system decreases surface runoff, soil, and nutrient loss, and increases yield and income of the farmers as compared to a sole maize crop.
... (1) and (2), respectively, (Ali et al., 2007 andMeng et al., 2008). ...
Soil and nutrients losses due to soil erosion are detrimental to crop production, especially in the hilly terrains. An experiment was carried out in three consecutive cropping seasons (2012–2015) with four treatments: sole maize; sole maize with plastic mulch; maize and cowpea under plastic mulching; and maize and soybean under plastic mulching in randomized block design (RBD) to assess their impact on productivity, profitability, and resource (rainwater, soil, and NPK nutrients) conservation in the Indian sub-Himalayan region. The plot size was 9 × 8.1 m with 2% slope, and runoff and soil loss were measured using a multi-slot devisor. The results showed that mean runoff decreased from 356 mm in sole maize with plastic mulch plots to 229 mm in maize + cowpea intercropping with plastic mulch, representing a reduction of 36% and corresponding soil loss reduction was 41% (from 9.4 to 5.5 t ha ⁻¹ ). The eroded soil exported a considerable amount of nitrogen (N) (13.2–31.4 kg ha ⁻¹ ), phosphorous (P) (0.5–1.7 kg ha ⁻¹ ), and potassium (K) (9.9–15.6 kg ha ⁻¹ ) and was consistently lower in maize + cowpea intercropping. The maize equivalent yield (MEY) was significantly higher in maize + cowpea with plastic mulch intercropping than the other treatments. These results justify the need to adopt maize with alternate legume intercrops and plastic mulch. This strategy must be done in a way guaranteeing high yield stability to the smallholder farmers of the Indian sub-Himalayan region.
The smart combination of agriculture and other sciences can greatly reduce the limits of fertilizer use. Chitosan is a linear amino polysaccharide with a rigid structure which has hydrophilic and crystal properties. The formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds the presence of reactive groups and cross-linking, the formation of salts with organic and inorganic acids with complexing and chelating properties ionic conductivity, film formation are the characteristics of chitosan. With the presence of amino groups, chitosan can form a complex with other compounds and also enter the vascular system of plants and lead to the activation of metabolic-physiological pathways of plants. This polymeric compound can bond with other natural polymers and in combination with fertilizers and nutritional elements, on the one hand, it can provide the nutritional needs of the plant and on the other hand, it also helps to improve the soil texture. Chitosan nanomaterials as a Next-generation fertilizers act as plant immune system enhancers through slow, controlled, and targeted delivery of nutrients to plants. Chitosan can assist agricultural researchers and has become an ideal and effective option with its many applications in various fields.
Agricultural cropping systems in coastal areas of China have experienced significant shifts, and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses via surface runoff from fields have considerably increased. However, it is unclear how changes in cropping systems coupled with rainfall-runoff affect nutrient losses in coastal areas. In this study, in-situ daily rainfall-runoff events in agricultural fields in the Dagu River watershed (a coastal area of Shandong Province, Southeastern China) were observed and the dissolved nutrient losses measured. The fields comprised three cropping systems—wheat-maize rotation (W-M), vegetable-maize rotation (V-M) and vegetable-vegetable rotation (V-V). The runoff yields of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) in V-V (10.4 ± 0.8 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 3.90 ± 0.1 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) and V-M (6.52 ± 0.31 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and 2.12 ± 0.08 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) were significantly higher than those in W-M (1.51 ± 0.15 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 0.84 ± 0.08 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), and the nutrient export coefficients were 291–1271 and 146–489 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ m runoff⁻¹ for TDN and TDP, respectively. Remarkable shifts in cropping systems coupled with varied rainfall-runoff are dominant factors responsible for agricultural nutrient losses. TDN and TDP losses would increase by 70.0% and 59.8%, respectively, if the watershed traditional cropping system of W-M is completely replaced by V-V. The TDN and TDP losses would increase by 36.36%–46.97% under the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 climate scenarios until 2100 with a 50% of the watershed area of traditional agricultural plantation converted to modern plantation. This study can enhance our understanding of the effects of cropping system changes coupled with varied rainfall-runoff on nutrient losses in coastal areas of China.
Although watershed nutrient exports have been well studied and modeled, the dynamic changes in the contributions of individual nutrient sources to reservoirs are less certain under changing land use and climate. The intensification of agriculture has led to expansion in plantation areas and the corresponding increased use of chemical and organic fertilizers in many headwater catchments in recent decades in China. Nutrient yields are potentially substantial because of the expansion of agricultural ecosystems. Here, in combination with biogeochemical nutrient budgets, we developed a synthesis model to quantify daily nutrient yields in terms of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP). We also identified their sources in an experimental headwater reservoir catchment based on high‐frequency observations of daily precipitation with nutrient concentrations in the stream outlets from January 2020 to December 2021. Annual DIN, DON, DIP, and DOP yields were 31.68 ± 2.38, 5.98 ± 0.41, 1.12 ± 0.08, and 0.37 ± 0.27 kg ha‐1 yr‐1, respectively. All nutrient yields showed significant seasonal patterns, with over 60% of the total nutrient yield obtained from May to July. Our model suggests that over 70% of the annual nutrient yields were driven by rainfall exceeding 40 mm. Approximately 70% of catchment nutrient yields were from chemical and organic fertilizer applications. Triple nitrate isotopes (δ15N‐NO3‐, δ18O‐NO3‐, and δ17O‐NO3‐) revealed that stream nitrate sources and their contributions were almost consistent with the estimation from our model. The estimates demonstrated that orchard expansion by 25% of the total area led to a 63% increase in dissolved total nitrogen and an 88% increase in total phosphorus exports. Our results reveal that diffuse sources from orchard plantations are an important yet overlooked source of nutrients to the receiving headwater reservoir budget. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Soils provide the foundation for food production, soil water and nutrient cycling, and soil
biological activities. With land use and land cover changes over the last century, soil fertility depletion, greenhouse gas emissions, irrigational water scarcity, and water pollution have threatened agricultural productivity and sustainability. An improved understanding of biochemical pathways of soil organic matter and nutrient cycling, and microbial communities involved in regulating soil health and soil processes associated with water flow and retention in soil profile helps design better agricultural systems and ultimately support plant growth and productivity. This book, Agroecological Approaches in Soil and Water Management, presents a collection of original research and review papers studying physical, chemical, and biological processes in soils and discusses multiple ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, nutrients and water cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, and agro-environmental sustainability. The 15 chapters in this book cover various topics related to soil organic matter and nutrient cycling, soil water dynamics, and related hydrological processes across multiple soils, climate, and management. Several chapters highlight the impacts of land use, landscape position, and land-cover change on soil health and plant productivity. It also has chapters on greenhouse gas emissions as affected by agricultural management, and the roles of soil amendments like biochar and micronutrients. Novel water management strategies, including the use of coalbed methane co-produced water, biodegradable hydrogels, and livestock-integrated cropping to improve soil health are also discussed. The book further incorporates modeling studies on yield and greenhouse gas emissions and presents a review of sustainable agricultural and water management practices.
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