Abstract
In Balarus, soil erosion can be acute under intensive arable crops. 45 years of run-off-plot data on washout of soil and associated humus and nutrients during snowmelt and downpours are used to derive coefficients of erosion-preventing capability for individual crops and soil rotations. Ranking the main crops in descending order of the coefficient: perennial grasses used for 2 or more years, 0.98; perennial grasses used for 1 year, 0.92; winter cereals, 0.89; spring cereals, 0.67 (0.36); annual grasses, 0.62 (0.36); and row crops, 0.15 (0.08). Values in brackets take account of the annual soil washout during the thaw.
Studies of physical properties under a soil-protective crop rotation alongside continuous (19 years) Caucasian goat’s rue (Galega orientalis L.) demonstrated substantial benefits in restoring soil fertility and protecting against erosion. Continuous Galega increased soil resilience as expressed in lesser soil bulk density, increased permeability and improved soil structure. It was also associated with a substantial increase of biological activity.
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References
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Chernysh, A., Ustinova, A., Kas’yanenko, I., Kas’yanchik, S. (2014). Soil Conservation Capability of Crops and Crop Rotations: Data from Long-Term Studies in Belarus. In: Dent, D. (eds) Soil as World Heritage. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6187-2_28
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6187-2_28
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