The change of physical and chemical characteristics in cambic chernozem, as influenced by soil erosion, in the Moldavian Plain

Abstract

The analyses carried out on soil profiles, at the beginning of testing period and after 36 years, on a 16% slope, with length of 310 m, have shown that on the entire slope length, soils had a very different fertility. Soils were influenced by erosion and silting processes. On weakly eroded land, the percentage of hydrostable aggregates was comprised, according to rates and type of applied fertilizers, between 38.9 and 53.6 %; on highly eroded land, the ratio of hydrostable aggregates has increased from 34.4 in unfertilized control to 52.0% at the fertilized variant with 40 t/ha manure. On eroded slope lands, poor in organic matter and nutritive elements, applying rates of 40 t/ha manure has determined yield increases in maize of 1835-2340 kg/ha, respectively, 45.9 – 58.5 kg grains/ t of manure, compared to unfertilized control. The combined use of mean rates (N70P70) of mineral fertilizers, together with 40 t/ha manure, has improved soil physical and chemical characteristics. Yield increases were of 3150 kg/ha in wheat and 3771 kg/ha in maize, compared to unfertilized variant.