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THE PROPERTIES OF AND PRODUCTION FROM TWO SOILS HAVING SLIGHT, MODERATE AND SEVERE EROSION
Abstract
Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted with corn (Zea mays L.) to investigate (1) the effect of soil erosion on crop production from Sharpsburg and Wymore silty clay loam soils, and (2) the effect of soil erosion on some physical and chemical properties. The greenhouse study showed significantly higher dry matter yield on the slightly eroded soils. Field studies on Wymore soils revealed a greater sensitivity to the level of erosion by grain sorghum than corn. However, corn yield in 1984 and 1985 was reduced for each erosion class change from slight to moderate to severe on Sharpsburg soil. Under severe drought conditions, as occurred in 1983, the results show 28 and 16% higher yields on the severe and moderately eroded soils of Sharpsburg and Wymore, respectively. The loss of yield due to soil erosion was partly overcome or offset by nitrogen application. However, the effectiveness of nitrogen was dependent on weather conditions (especially rainfall) and therefore varied from one year to the next. Definite relationships between erosion class and soil physical and chemical properties were observed. Clay content increased approximately 4 and 10% on Sharpsburg and Wymore, respectively, for each erosion class change from slight to moderate to severe. The increase in bulk density observed in the more severely eroded soils paralleled the high clay content. Organic matter content decreased with increasing severity of soil erosion. Soil water retention differences among erosion levels were observed with the severe erosion level having the most water retained at -1500, -33 and -10 kpa suctions. However, available water-holding capacity was highest when erosion was slight.
Subject Area
Agronomy
Recommended Citation
ATUBOYEDIA, ASIME JONES, "THE PROPERTIES OF AND PRODUCTION FROM TWO SOILS HAVING SLIGHT, MODERATE AND SEVERE EROSION" (1986). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8704539.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8704539