Chloride profile technique to estimate water movement through unsatured zone in a cropped area in subhumid climate (Po Valley—NW Italy)

Research highlightsHigh yielding maize-based cropping systems can be managed to limit their impact on soil and water qualityThe harvest of the entire plant, straw included reduces N leaching by 10-20%, but carbon sequestration is also reduced A maize-Italian ryegrass double cropping system improves the efficiency of organic fertilizers, and reduces leaching by 25-40% relative to monoculture A rotation with grass ley reduces N impact relative to monoculture only when fertilized with urea Urea, slurry, and farmyard manure are equally utilized by maize; when well managed, both organic fertilizers build up the SOM content and reduce N leaching by 20-50%. 1 AbstractMaize (Zea mays, L.) is not only the main crop in the intensively-cultivated Po Plain (Northern Italy), but also the one that produces the largest N surplus. This study is based on experimental data from the Tetto Frati long-term trial (Turin, NW Italy) to demonstrate that the impact on soil and water quality of high-yielding, maize-based cropping systems can be reduced through proper management.Nitrogen use efficiency and loss indicators were calculated and compared among various management options: (i) maize monoculture at high N fertilizer rates for grain production (most widespread management), (ii) entire plant (with straw) harvest, (iii) double-cropping system with a winter crop, (iv) maize -grass ley rotation, and (v) change in fertilizer type.The entire maize plant removal reduced N leaching by 10-20%; however, carbon sequestration was also reduced. A maize-Italian ryegrass double cropping system improved the efficiency of organic fertilizers, and reduced leaching by 25-40% relative to monoculture. A rotation with grass ley reduced N impact only when fertilized with urea, and not when organic fertilizers were used. Urea, slurry, and farmyard manure were equally utilized by the crop; if distributed and incorporated just before sowing, both organic fertilizers built up the soil organic matter content and reduced N leaching by 20-50% with respect to urea. This study has shown that farmers in NW Italy have several opportunities to continue cultivate maize thus accomplishing agri-environmental legislation.

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“…The trial site lies on deep, coarse, calcareous, free-draining soil (see also Lo Russo et al, 2003). The texture is loam.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Options to reduce N loss from maize in intensive cropping systems in Northern Italy

Zavattaro

Monaco

Sacco

et al. 2012

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

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“…In addition, the chloride absorbed by crops in the irrigation area can be considered to be extremely low, so it is considered F o = 0. Since the study area is in a continental arid region, dry deposition was always below the analytical detection limit, due to the long distance from the sea and the barrier effect of the mountains (Lo Russo et al, 2003). Dry deposition can be ignored and it is F d = 0.…”

Section: Water Balance Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of chloride profile and water balance methods in estimating groundwater recharge in Luanjing Irrigation Area, Inner Mongolia / Application des méthodes du profil de chlorure et du bilan hydrique pour l'estimation de la recharge hydrogéologique dans le Périmètre Irrigué de Luanjing, Mongolie Intérieure

Liu

Wang

Zhang

et al. 2009

Hydrological Sciences Journal

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“…The results of the survey and the interpretation of the collected data have been synthesized in a new morphological and Quaternary geologic map of the area. The identification and the mapping of alpine DSGSDs is also very important for geotechnical problems and, due to the important infiltration through the open cracks, also to assess the infiltration (Russo et al, 2003) and to preserve the groundwater quality of mountain springs (Galleani et al, 2011).…”

Section: Ajesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological Features of Rodoretto Valley Deep-Seated Gravitational Slope Deformations

Forno¹

2012

American Journal of Environmental Sciences

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A new, detailed survey of the Rodoretto Valley (Western Alps, Italy) has been conducted resulting in the production of a new morphological and quaternary geological map of the area. The authors used the innovative Solid (True) Ortho-Photo (STOP) technology integrated with navigation sensors (Global Navigation Satellite System-GNSS/Inertial Measurement Unit-IMU). This state-of-the-art procedure has demonstrated several operational advantages during both the land survey and the post-processing phases. The survey highlighted remarkable glacial evidences and landforms probably connected with Deep-Seated Gravitational Slope Deformations (DSGSDs) phenomena. The glacial forms which have been detected consist of diffuse relics of cirques, glacial slopes, small lateral and frontal moraines and some outwash incisions. The deposits associated with the relics are lodgment till, flowtill and outwash sediments, respectively. The gravitational evidences and the very fractured bedrock that has been recognized on both sides of the Rodoretto Valley, suggest the presence of two DSGSDs which are confirmed also by the occurrence of some doubled ridges in the higher elevation band of the slopes. Moreover, several minor scarps and many longitudinal and transversal trenches, of various size, occur in the intermediate band.Extended landslide bodies have been recognized in the lower altimetric band. The major new geological element detected and interpreted after the survey and the map production is represented by the identification of a well defined WNW-ESE trend of fractured rocks and gravitational landforms. The observed fractures are not limited to the Rodoretto Valley, suggesting the possible connection of the described gravitational landforms with a tectonic discontinuity with the same WNW-ESE trend. This tectonic discontinuity crosses the Cenischia-Nizza System in a zone highlighted by a portion of intensively fractured rocks.

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Chloride profile technique to estimate water movement through unsatured zone in a cropped area in subhumid climate (Po Valley—NW Italy)

Cited by 23 publications

References 27 publications

Options to reduce N loss from maize in intensive cropping systems in Northern Italy

Options to reduce N loss from maize in intensive cropping systems in Northern Italy

Morphological Features of Rodoretto Valley Deep-Seated Gravitational Slope Deformations

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