 |
| Titel |
Remediation of degraded arable steppe soils in Moldova using vetch as green manure |
| VerfasserIn |
M. Wiesmeier, M. Lungu, R. Hübner, V. Cerbari |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
|
| Sprache |
Englisch
|
| ISSN |
1869-9510
|
| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: Solid Earth ; 6, no. 2 ; Nr. 6, no. 2 (2015-05-29), S.609-620 |
| Datensatznummer |
250115454
|
| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/se-6-609-2015.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
| Zusammenfassung |
| In the Republic of Moldova, non-sustainable arable farming led to severe
degradation and erosion of fertile steppe soils (Chernozems). As a result,
the Chernozems lost about 40% of their initial amounts of soil organic
carbon (SOC). The aim of this study was to remediate degraded arable soils and
promote carbon sequestration by implementation of cover cropping and green
manuring in Moldova. Thereby, the suitability of the legume hairy vetch
(Vicia sativa) as cover crop under the dry continental climate of Moldova was examined.
At two experimental sites, the effect of cover cropping on chemical and
physical soil properties as well as on yields of subsequent main crops was
determined. The results showed a significant increase of SOC after
incorporation of hairy vetch mainly due to increases of aggregate-occluded
and mineral-associated OC. This was related to a high above- and belowground
biomass production of hairy vetch associated with a high input of carbon and
nitrogen into arable soils. A calculation of SOC stocks based on equivalent
soil masses revealed a sequestration of around 3 t C ha−1yr−1 as
a result of hairy vetch cover cropping. The buildup of SOC was associated
with an improvement of the soil structure as indicated by a distinct
decrease of bulk density and a relative increase of macroaggregates at the
expense of microaggregates and clods. As a result, yields of subsequent main
crops increased by around 20%. Our results indicated that hairy vetch is
a promising cover crop to remediate degraded steppe soils, control soil
erosion and sequester substantial amounts of atmospheric C in arable soils
of Moldova. |
| |
|
| Teil von |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|