Effect of slope position on physico-chemical properties of eroded soil (original) (raw)

2013, Soil and Environment

Abstract

The research work was conducted on eroded soil (Missa Series) in Samarbagh, District Lower Dir to determine the effect of slope position on soil physico-chemical properties. Soil samples were collected from top-slope, midslope and bottom slope positions at horizon-A, B and C. Results showed a significant difference among the physicochemical properties of top, mid and bottom slope soils. Bulk density of the top-slope (1.51 g cm-3) was the highest followed by mid (1.39 g cm-3) and bottom slopes (1.32 g cm-3). Conversely, electrical conductivity EC-2.47 dS m-1), phosphorus (3.40 mg kg-1), Potassium (118.8 mg kg-1), Organic matter content (1.52 %), clay content (20.39 %) and silt content (49.17%) were the highest at bottom slope followed by mid and top-slopes, respectively. Soil A, B and C horizons were also significantly (p<0.05) different in their physico-chemical properties. Mean values showed that horizon Ap had the highest bulk density (1.43 g cm-3) and lower electrical conductivity (1.74 dS m-1), phosphorus (2.29 mg kg-1), potassium (84.86 mg kg-1), organic matter (1.08%), clay (12.83%) and silt content (40.49%) than both the B and C horizons. The deterioration in physico-chemical properties of top slope as compared to mid and bottom slopes and that of Ap horizon as compared to B and C horizons were presumed to be due to past soil erosion effect that removed the finer soil particles including soil organic matter and other plant nutrients. This study concluded that increasing extent of erosion due to slope effect can further deteriorate soil properties. The control of such damaging effects would require soil conservation strategies such as proper land levelling, afforestation, terracing and inclusion of restorative crops in cropping systems on these lands.

Figures (4)

Loading...

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

References (27)

  1. Aandahl, A.R. 1948. The characterization of slope positions and their influence on total nitrogen content of a few virgin soils of Western Iowa. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings 13: 449-454.
  2. Ahmad, W. and F. Khan. 2009. Managing soil fertility for sustained crop productivity on eroded lands of District Swabi. Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural University, Peshawar. p: 161-169.
  3. Blake, G.R. and K.H. Hartage. 1984. Bulk density. p. 364- 366. In: Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 1. G.S. Campbell, R.D. Jackson, M.M. Marttand, D.R. Nilson and A. Klute (eds.). American Society of Agronomy Inc. Madison, WI, U.S.A.
  4. Brady, N.C. 1984. The Nature and Properties of Soil. 9 th Ed. Mac. Millan. Pub. Co. USA. p. 48-49.
  5. Brubaker, S.C., A.J. Jones, D.T. Lewis and K. Frank. 1993. Soil properties associated with landscape positions and management. Soil Science Society of America Journal 57: 235-239.
  6. Bullock, D.G. 1992. Crop rotation. Critical Reviews in Plant Science 11: 309-326.
  7. Changere, A. and R. Lal. 1997. Slope position and erosion effects on soil properties and corn production on a Miamian soil in Central Ohio. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 11 (1): 5-21
  8. G a r c i a , A . , B . R o d r i g u e z . B . G a r c i a , N . G a b o r c i k , V . Krajcovic and M. Zimkova. 1990. Mineral nutrients in pasture herbage of central western Spain. Soil, grassland and animal relationship. Proceedings of 13 th general meeting of the European Grassland. Banska Bystrica. Czechoslovakia. June 25-29, 1990.
  9. Hao, X. and C. Chang. 2003. Does long-term heavy cattle manure application increase salinity of a clay loam soil in semi-arid Southern Alberta? Agriculture Ecosystem and Environment 94(1): 89-103.
  10. Hendershot, W.H., F. Courchesne and R.S. Schemenauer. 1992. Soil acidification along a topographic gradient on roundtop Mountain, Quebec, Canada. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 61(3-4):235-242.
  11. Kaihura, F.B.S., I.K. Kullaya, M. Kilasara, J.B. Aune, B.R. Singh, and R. Lal. 1999. Soil quality effects of accelerated erosion and management systems in three eco-regions of Tanzania. Soil and Tillage Research 53(1): 59-70.
  12. Khan F., W. Ahmad, A.U. Bhatti, R.A. Khattak and M. Shafiq. 2004. Effect of soil erosion on chemical properties of some soil series in NWFP. Science Technology and Development 23(4): 31-35.
  13. Lucot, E., D. Klein, M. G. Sokolovska, P.M. Badot, P. Ozenda and P. Souchier. 1998. Processes of caesium- 137 transfer at the scale of the toposequence in
  14. McClean, E.O. 1982. Soil pH and lime requirement. p. 209- 223. In: Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 2, 2 nd Ed. A.L. Page., R.H. Miller and D.R. Keeny (eds). American Society of Agronomy, Madison W.I., USA.
  15. Midkiff, D.V., W.W. Frye and R.L. Blevins. 1985. Soil erosion effects on soil properties and crop yield in farme's fields in Kentucky during 1983-84. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI, USA. 209p. mountain ecosystems. Ecologie Soeiete Francaised' Ecologie; Paris; France 29 (1-2): 393-398.
  16. Nejad, A.A.A. and M.B. Nejad. 1997. The effects of topography on genesis and development of soils in Kermansha area. Iran Journal of Science 28(3): 99-111.
  17. Nelson, D.W., and L.E. Sommers. 1982. Total carbon, organic carbon and organic matter. p. 961-1010. In: Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 3, Book Series No.5. D.L. Sparks (ed.). Soil Science Society of America, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
  18. Pruess, A., D.E. Bushiazzo, E. Schlichting and K. Stahr. 1992. Phosphate distribution in soils of the central Argentinian Pampa. Landesanstalt fur Umweltschutz, Baden-Wurtternberg, Referat Bodenschutz, Griesbachstr. 3,75000 Karisruhe 21, Germany. Catena. 1992. 19(1): 135-145.
  19. Putman, J. and K. Alt. 1987. Erosion control: how does it change farm income? Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 42(4): 265-268.
  20. Rhoades, J.D. 1996. Salinity: electrical conductivity and total dissolved salts. p. 417-436. In: Methods of soil Analysis. Part 3. D.L. Sparks (ed.). American Society of Agronomy, Inc. Madison, WI, USA.
  21. Shafiq, M., M.I. Zafar and M.Z. Ikarm. 1988. The influence of simulated soil erosion and restorative fertilization on maize and wheat production. Pakistan Journal of Science and Industrial Research 31: 502-505.
  22. Soltanpur, P.N., and A.P. Schwab.1997. A new soil test for simultaneous extraction of macro and micro nutrients in alkaline soils. Communication in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 8:195-207.
  23. Steel, R.G.D. and J.H. Torrie. 1980. Principles and Procedures of Statestics. A Biometrical Approach. 2 nd Ed. Mc-Graw Hill, New York. 633 p.
  24. Tagar, S. and A.U. Bhatti. 1996. Physical properties of soil. p. 117-119. In: Soil Science. E. Bashier and R. Bantle (Eds.), NBF, Islamabad.
  25. Webb, A.A. and A.J. Dowling. 1990. Characterization of basaltic clay soils (Vertisols) from the Oxford Land System in central Queensland. Australian Journal of Soil Research 28(6): 841-856.
  26. Wischmeier, W.H. And D.D. Smith. 1978. Predicting rainfall erosion losses: A guide to Conservation Planning. USDA Agric. Handbook No. 537.
  27. Zingg, A.W. 1940. Degree and length of land slope as it affects soil loss in runoff. Agricultural Engineering 21: 59-64.