Loss of Nutrients Through Soil Water Erosion in Calcic Chernozem

The application of technology for water erosion control plays an essential role in development of sustainable agricultural systems. The paper presented observes the study results from a period of six years in terms of losses of mineral nitrogen and available forms of phosphorus and potassium in the cultivation of wheat and maize on sloping terrains (on calcic chernozem soil type) under the influence of water erosion processes. The impacts of four different types of technology (conventional technology performed along the slope; conventional technology applied across the slope; surface mulching; and minimum tillage with vertical mulching) on nutrient losses were tested. On average, the annual losses of mineral nitrogen, available forms of phosphorus and potassium in wheat production along the slope utilizing conventional technology were 6.0 kg·ha⁻¹y⁻¹, 1.6 kg·ha⁻¹y⁻¹, 5.9 kg·ha⁻¹y⁻¹, and 11.3 kg·ha⁻¹y⁻¹, 2.1 kg kg·ha⁻¹y⁻¹, 10.8 kg kg·ha⁻¹y⁻¹ in maize production. The lowest losses in these elements occurred with minimal employment of tillage system, as they reached values of 2.3 kg·ha⁻¹y⁻¹; 0.6 kg·ha⁻¹y⁻¹, 2.0 kg·ha⁻¹y⁻¹, respectively, in wheat production, and 1.7 kg·ha⁻¹y⁻¹, 0.3 kg·ha⁻¹y⁻¹, 1. kg·ha⁻¹y⁻¹, respectively, in maize production.