NPS Pollution Reduction from Alpine Fields using Surface Cover Material and Soil Amendments

Abstract

We described the effects of straw mat cover and soil amendments on runoff, agricultural non-point source nNPS) pollution and crop yield on sloping alpine fields in Korea. Two sandy loam field plots were prepared. One was a control plot and the other (SPG) was an experimental plot treated with rice straw, polyacrylamide (PAM) and gypsum (rice straw mat (3,300 kg/ha) + PAM (5 kg/ha) + gypsum (1 ton/ha)). Chinese cabbage was cultivated in the plots and seven rainfall-runoff events were monitored during the growing season in 2012. Less runoff and a lower NPS pollution load were measured from the SPG plot, compared to those from the control plot. The SPG plot had 29.4% less runoff and the pollution load was reduced by 86.6% for suspended solids, 34.7% for total nitrogen and 39.1% for total phosphorus. The Chinese cabbage yield at the SPG plot was 39,600 kg/ha, which was about 40% higher than that at the control plot. These results indicated that the SPG treatment could not only reduce runoff and agricultural NPS pollution but also increase crop yield and be a best management practice for sandy loam sloping fields in Korea. © 2016 The Authors. RÉSUMÉNous avons décrit les effets de la couverture du sol par des paillis et des amendements sur le ruissellement, la pollution diffuse et le rendement des cultures sur les champs « alpins » (ie pentus) en Corée. Deux parcelles de terrain de sable limoneux ont été préparées. L'une était une parcelle de contrôle et l'autre (SPG) était une parcelle expérimentale traitée avec de la paille de riz, du polyacrylamide (PAM) et un paillis composite de gypse (3.300 kg/ha de paille de riz + 5 kg/ha de PAM +1 tonne/ha gypse). Le chou chinois a été cultivé dans ces parcelles et sept événements pluie-débit ont été contrôlés au cours de la saison de croissance en 2012. SPG permet un contrôle du ruissellement et de la charge polluante. La parcelle SPG avait 29,4% de moins en ruissellement et la charge de la pollution a été réduite de 86,6% pour les solides en suspension, 34,7% pour l'azote total et 39,1% pour le phosphore total. Le rendement de chou chinois à la parcelle SPG était 39.600 kg/ha, soit environ 40% de plus que la parcelle témoin. Ces résultats indiquent que le traitement SPG pourrait non seulement réduire le ruissellement et la pollution diffuse agricole, mais permettrait une meilleure pratique de gestion pour des champs en pente limono sableux en Corée, tout en augmentant le rendement des cultures.

Soil amendment incorporation increases organic carbon by improving soil agglomerate and soil microbial biomass carbon in the alpine grassland

“…This top layer of soil often contains higher levels of nutrients compared to deeper layers for depths of 10-20 and 20-30 cm centimetres (Yue et al, 2015). In this study, we found that the CS and MS addition treatments increased the TOC, TN, MBC and TCS content in upper 10 cm soil (Figures 3 and 5), which was consistent with Won et al (2016). These results could be attributed to the abundant C content of CS and MS treatments, hence increasing the soil TOC after their use.…”

“…Additionally, soil amendments are effective in increasing SOC (soil organic carbon), improving soil aggregates and altering SD (Soil bulk density) (Baiamonte et al, 2019;Xu et al, 2015). Previous research has explored the potential benefits of soil amendments, including organic materials and straw, in enhancing soil fertility and increasing levels of soil carbon and nitrogen, promoting soil aggregate formation and altering microbial community structure to support plant growth (Li et al, 2020;Won et al, 2016;Zhang, Zhang, & Chang, 2023). Dai et al (2020) showed that plant productivity could be increased by more than 16% regardless of the type of soil amendment and soil status.…”

“…alpine grassland, ryegrass, soil agglomerate, soil amendment, soil organic carbon in soil pH levels and carbon content and reducing NPS pollution (Rafiq et al, 2019;Won et al, 2016). Research shows that soil amendment has been found to enhance the uptake of soil water, minerals and other nutrients, thereby increasing crop yields (Du et al, 2020;Farhangi-Abriz et al, 2021).…”

“…Many in‐depth studies on the effectiveness of desertification land management and the conservation benefits of restoration methods have been conducted (Kirkby, 2021; You et al., 2021). Using soil amendments to soil in order to enhance soil properties and improve soil desertification, the advantageous impacts of soil amendments have been recognized in alpine soil remediation, facilitating improvements in soil pH levels and carbon content and reducing NPS pollution (Rafiq et al., 2019; Won et al., 2016). Research shows that soil amendment has been found to enhance the uptake of soil water, minerals and other nutrients, thereby increasing crop yields (Du et al., 2020; Farhangi‐Abriz et al., 2021).…”

Recent advances in control technologies for non-point source pollution with nitrogen and phosphorous from agricultural runoff: current practices and future prospects

“…In recent years, land covers and soil amendments such as biochar, which enhance the soil structure and porosity, are used to protect the soil [47,48]. Won et al used rice straw, polyacrylamide, and gypsum to treat with Chinese cabbage filed, which resulted in reduction of suspended solids and of total nitrogen (TN) by 86.6% and 34.7%, respectively [49]. Lee et al have studied the effects of soil amendments on soil loss [50].…”