Abstract:
Background This study investigates soil erosion and nitrogen loss in gently sloping farmland in the black soil region of Northeast China, providing support for the prevention and control of farmland soil erosion in the area.
Methods In the Qinggou small watershed in Nanguan District, Changchun City, Jilin Province, six runoff plots were established at the hydrological erosion observation station. Three slope gradients of 3°, 6°, and 9° were set, and two tillage practices were adopted: conventional downslope ridge tillage (corn) and downslope ridge tillage with straw mulch (corn). Based on monitoring data of runoff and sediment generation from May to September 2024, the study analyzed the effects and correlations of straw mulch on runoff, sediment yield on sloped farmland, and nitrogen loss (total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen).
Results 1) The loss of nitrogen in runoff and soil accounts for 56.15% and 43.85% of the total loss, respectively, while the loss of nitrate nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen in runoff accounts for 53.32% and 8.34% of the total loss, respectively. 2)As the slope increases, the loss of runoff, sediment, total nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen also increases, while the change pattern of ammonium nitrogen is not obvious, with nitrogen concentrations showing trends consistent with the loss. 3) Straw cover has a significant inhibitory effect on runoff, soil loss, and nitrogen loss. At slopes of 3°, 6°, and 9°, the runoff control efficiency is 95.55%, 89.37%, and 90.62%, respectively, and the soil control efficiency is 95.56%, 89.03%, and 99.95%, respectively. 4) The loss of nitrogen is significantly positively correlated with the amount of runoff and soil, with correlation coefficients of 0.99* and 0.96*. From the perspective of runoff generation, runoff under natural rainfall conditions is mainly related to rainfall amount and the interval between rainfall events.
Conclusions Implementing straw mulching on slopes with different gradients can effectively reduce runoff, soil loss, and nitrogen loss, but it may lead to an increase in the nitrogen concentration of the runoff. The nitrogen loss from sloped farmland is determined by the amount of runoff and soil loss.