Some physico-chemical properties of soil as influenced by surface erosion under different cropping systems on upland-sloping soil

Abstract

Considering the importance of erosion, this experiment was conducted on sloping land in northern NWFP, Pakistan for 3-years. The objectives of this study were to monitor runoff, soil loss and enrichment of eroded soil material and to assess the effect of cumulative soil loss on some soil properties under mono-cropping of wheat and maize and inter-cropping of barleylegume and maize-legume in comparison with bare fallow. Total runoff and soil losses from bare plots were 1.64 and 1.92 times higher than from inter-cropped plots. Inter-cropped plots reduced erosion by 48% whereas mono-cropping by 36%. Nutrient enrichment ratio of the sediment was > 1, indicating higher losses of nutrients in sediment. Changes in soil pH, soil organic matter and K content were significantly correlated with cumulative soil loss whereas lime content, bulk density, N and P were non-significantly correlated with soil loss. Bare plots showed a significant decline in organic matter, N, P and K content following erosion. Intercropping was more efficient in maintaining soil properties.