Impact of maize straw biochar and tied‐ridge‐furrow rainwater harvesting on soil erosion and soil quality in a semiarid region

• DOI: 10.1111/sum.12880
• Publication Date: 2023-01-04T05:49:11Z
• Authors: Erastus Mak‐Mensah; Wucheng Zhao; Xujiao Zhou; Dengkui Zhang; Xiaole Zhao; Qi Wang; Peter Bilson Obour
• Keywords: Rainwater Harvesting; Soil Quality; Soil carbon

Abstract In dryland areas, integrating biochar soil amendment with in situ rainwater harvesting systems may decrease erosion, improve quality, and increase crop productivity yield. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of maize straw ridge‐furrow on run‐off, sediment yield physico‐chemical properties a Calcic Cambisol semiarid areas. The experiment alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) production land at Anjiagou Catchment experimental station Gansu province, China. layout split‐plot design three replications. Biochar applied rate 0 30 t ha −1 , respectively. tillage treatments were flat planting, open‐ridging, tied‐ridging (TR). Overall, integration TR decreased bulk density 0–40 cm depth. application reduced run‐off by 37.8% loss 55.5% during alfalfa‐growing seasons compared control. general, addition increased total potassium, but same not observed for pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, available phosphorus. These findings demonstrate potential reduce erosion quality rainfed Further studies biochar‐tillage system interaction are warranted conditions plant growth