Influence of simulated erosion on soil properties and maize yield in Northwestern India

Abstract

Laboratory and field experiments were conducted at the Regional Research Station of Kandi Area, Ballowal Saunkhri, Punjab, India, to determine the immediate influence of artificial topsoil removal (simulated erosion) on selected soil properties, maize (Zea mays) growth and yield, and restoration of crop productivity with nitrogen (N) fertilization. For the laboratory experiment, soil samples (0-15 cm) were obtained after removing 0, 6, 12, and 18 cm of a sandy loam topsoil from a cereal grain cropped field. In the field experiment, topsoil was removed at 0, 6, 12, and 18 cm in main plots, and six N treatments at rates of 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 kg N ha -1 were applied in subplots. Topsoil removal greatly decreased mineralized N, N mineralization potential and rate constant, and increased time for half mineralization of N. Bulk density and penetration resistance increased as a result of topsoil removal and infiltration capacity of the soil decreased. Total profile water was more at the time of harvest than at sowing in the plots where topsoil was removed, but the water expense efficiency decreased. Both 2647

Soil Structural Stability and Water Retention Characteristics Under Different Land uses of Degraded Lower Himalayas of North‐West India

“…The mean annual rainfall in the region is 1040 ± 150 mm, of which more than 80 per cent is received during the summer monsoon months (July to September). The probability of expecting at least one dry spell greater than 6 days during individual months varies between 55 and 99 per cent (Sur et al ., ). The mean maximum temperatures vary from 18·6°C in January to 39·1°C in May, and mean minimum temperatures vary from 5·2°C in December to 24·7°C in June.…”

Assessment of production losses due to water erosion in rainfed areas of India

“…Based on field experiments conducted in alluvial soils (Inceptisols), the reduction in maize and wheat yields was found to vary between 3.5% and 50.7% under different degrees of erosion (Khybri et al 1982). In the Shiwalik region of Punjab, a reduction of 103 kg ha -1 (91.9 lb ac -1 ) in maize grain yield was recorded with every centimeter (about 0.4 in) removal of topsoil (Sur et al 1998). Similarly, studies in black (Vertisols) soils indicated that loss of productivity of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), and soybean (Glycine max) crops was within 10%, 10% to 35%, and 35% to 50% under slight, moderate, and severe degrees of erosion, respectively (Yadav et al 1993).…”