Effect of wheat straw incorporation on soil detachment capacity on sloping farmland in the agricultural region of the Loess Plateau, China

Response of seasonal variation in soil detachment capacity to straw incorporation in sloping farmland on the Loess Plateau

“…As reported by Wang and Zhang et al (2014), plant litter‐stem contribute more than 30% of the total decrease in Dc resulting from near soil‐surface‐characteristics. Yao, Zhang, Mo, et al (2022) also reported that straw incorporation can significantly decrease Dc by changing soil properties. The impact of variation in soil properties on Dc reduction, triggered by crop straw incorporation and typical tillage practices in agricultural regions, and their relationship should be given more attention.…”

“…Soil detachment in rills in sloping farmlands is a pivotal process for sediment production, providing loose, non‐cohesive sediments for subsequent transport and deposition (De Baets et al, 2006; Wang et al, 2014). Crop straw is a multi‐purpose renewable biological resource, and incorporating straw into topsoil is a widely adopted farming practice to change soil properties and improve grain yield on sloping farmlands (Borresen, 1999; Getahun et al, 2018; Sommer et al, 2011; Yang et al, 2021; Yao, Zhang, Mo, et al, 2022). Most previous studies have characterized crop coverage and roots as the key factors influencing soil erosion in sloping farmlands (De Baets et al, 2006; Xie et al, 2021).…”

“…The incorporated crop straw can improve soil structure and considerably change soil properties related to Dc through the decomposition of straw, that is, by increasing SOM and Coh, enhancing soil aggregate stability, and decreasing BD (Getahun et al, 2018; Rahma et al, 2013; Singh et al, 2016). Crop straw, widely distributed on topsoil by tillage practices, is wrapped by splashed soil particles, which forms a straw‐soil matrix and increases soil tensile strength (Sun et al, 2016; Yao, Zhang, Mo, et al, 2022). The presence of crop straw on the soil surface can decrease the disruption of soil aggregates by reducing direct raindrop impact and promoting stabilization of soil aggregation by the binding effects and decomposition of incorporated straw (Bhagat & Verma, 1991; Getahun et al, 2018; Sun et al, 2016; Yang et al, 2021).…”

“…Zhao et al (2018) reported that the SOM in different‐sized soil aggregates under wheat straw treatment incorporation significantly increases compared with that under the control (bare soil) in Northwest China. Incorporating crop straw into the soil tilth also positively influences the regulation of BD, TP, and available water content (Borresen, 1999; Yao, Zhang, Mo, et al, 2022; Zhang et al, 2014). Zhang et al (2014) reported that the BD of tilth soil with straw incorporation was significantly lower than that of bare soil in semiarid areas.…”

“…The incorporated straw directly dissipates the kinetic energy of the overland flow and decreases the failure of the soil structure, thus reducing soil erosion. Then, continuous raindrop impact and gravity settling cause soil compaction and soil consolidation, represented by an increase in BD, Coh, and soil penetration resistance (PR) (Wang et al, 2019; Yao, Zhang, Mo, et al, 2022). Sun et al (2016) reported that Coh and BD increases significantly over time after plant litter incorporation.…”