Effects of topsoil loss on wheat productivity in dryland zones of Chile

Abstract

Considering that the most important processes of biogeochemical cycles occur in the upper first centimetres of the soil, minor degrees of erosion may affect crop productivity, especially in the case of low input dryfarming production systems, which dominate the central coastal areas of Chile. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of topsoil loss on wheat productivity in dryfarming areas with Mediterranean climates in Central Chile. The experiment was conducted on a Chilean Alfisol (Pencahue; 35°18`53``S and 71°53`40``W), and the topsoil of this soil was progressively removed from a depth of 2 to 18 cm (2, 6, 10, 14 and 18 cm). Once the plots (25 m 2 ) were prepared, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.; cultivar Pandora-INIA) was sown by applying the traditional techniques of the zone. A design was established on randomised blocks with six treatments and three replications. After one growing season, the results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in grain yield (kg ha -1 ) between the control treatment (T 0 ) and the treatment with 18 cm of soil removed (T 18 ) with productivity decreasing by 35%. Furthermore, most of the considered productivity parameters were negatively correlated with the depth of soil removed. The results highlighted the importance of topsoil fertility and depth in crop yield.

Wheat yield and soil properties reveal legacy effects of artificial erosion and amendments on a dryland Dark Brown Chernozem

“…The artificial erosion approach has been widely used to examine erosion-productivity relationships in Alberta [Dormaar et al (1986), Larney et al (1995Larney et al ( , 2000aLarney et al ( , 2000bLarney et al ( , 2009Larney et al ( , 2011Larney et al ( , 2016, Izaurralde et al (2006)]; Manitoba, (Morrison Ives and Shaykewich, 1985); Montana, (Allen et al 2011); Idaho (Massee 1990); South Dakota (Gollany et al 1992); Ohio (Srinivasan et al 2012); Texas (Eck 1987); Chile (Brunel et al 2011);Nigeria (Mbwagu et al 1984); China (Zhou et al 2015); and Indonesia (Anda and Kurnia 2010). Most of the above studies have The oldest artificial erosion experimental site in Lethbridge, Alberta dates to 1957.…”

Soil Fertility Status in Relation to Farmers’ Practices Under Maize Based Systems in Western Region of Kenya: Yield Gap Analysis

“…The unfavourable soil physical constraints included relatively very steep volcanic footridges (RUd and RUrb), extremely compact soils with high volumes of run-off and severely eroded soils, occasionally with topsoils removed. Considering that most important biogeochemical cycles occur in the upper soil horizons, the continuous loss of top soil through unfavourable tillage practices are the major cause of the crop production decline in intensively and frequently cultivated areas [15].…”

Soil and Water Loss Rates in Oxisols Under No-tillage System in Western Paraná, Brazil

“…Several factors can affect crop yield because of the interaction of the effects of surface soil loss (Brunel et al, 2011). Oyedele and Aina (2006) concluded that the primary impacts of soil removal affect soil physical properties and organic matter content significantly more than other chemical properties.…”