The sustainability of agroecosystems is closely related to successful soil conservation. Sustainable land use practices are crucial to reduce the impacts of agriculture on land degradation and ...maintain long-term soil productivity. In this context, is important to avoid practices that deteriorate the soil (e.g. soil erosion), and find the most suitable to maintain soil and crops productivity. The objective of this work is to compare the impact of different tillage systems on soil compaction, erosion and crop production on clay loam Stagnosols in Croatia. Three tillage treatments were studied: conventional tillage (CT), no-tillage (NT) and deep tillage (DT). Soil water content, bulk density and penetration resistance were determined in the 0–10, 10–20, 20–30 and 30–40cm soil depths. Soil erosion was measured during rainfall events. The results showed that tillage treatments influenced the soil physical parameters, soil loss and crop yields. During first four years of study NT increased (p<0.05) bulk density in the 0–10cm depth by an average of 8% and 7% in relation to CT and DT. Conventional tillage treatment increased (p<0.05) bulk density in the 30–40cm depth by an average of 6% and 5% in relation to NT and DT. No-tillage treatment had a significantly higher penetration resistance (PR) comparing to CT and DT in 2012 and 2014. During the flowering time of 2013, PR was significantly higher in NT at 20–30cm depth than in the other treatments. This was observed also in 2014 at 20–30 and 30–40cm depth. Average annual soil loss under NT (0.53tha−1year−1) and DT (3.11tha−1year−1) were significantly lower than that under CT (13.11tha−1year−1). No-tillage had lower crop grain yields compared to CT and DT, but higher yields in dry years, as consequence of the high capacity for water retention. We recommended DT treatment for investigation at the field scale to assess its suitability for wider application on clay loam soils on sloped areas.
•No-tillage (NT), conventional tillage (CT) and deep tillage (DT) were investigated.•Topsoil compaction had the followed order NT>CT>DT. Subsoil compaction increased in CT.•Soil erosion rates were lower in NT and DT than in CT.•Crop yields were higher in NT than CT in dry years.
A quantitative understanding of actual evapotranspiration (ETa) and soil–water dynamics in a hillslope agroecosystem is vital for sustainable water resource management and soil conservation; however, ...the complexity of processes and conditions involving lateral subsurface flow (LSF) can be a limiting factor in the full comprehension of hillslope soil–water dynamics. The research was carried out at SUPREHILL CZO located on a hillslope agroecosystem (vineyard) over a period of two years (2021–2022) by combining soil characterization and field hydrological measurements, including weighing lysimeters, sensor measurements, and LSF collection system measurements. Lysimeters were placed on the hilltop and the footslope, both having a dynamic controlled bottom boundary, which corresponded to field pressure head measurements, to mimic field soil–water dynamics. Water balance components between the two positions on the slope were compared with the goal of identifying differences that might reveal hydrologically driven differences due to LSF paths across the hillslope. The usually considered limitations of these lysimeters, or the borders preventing LSF through the domain, acted as an aid within this installation setup, as the lack of LSF was compensated for through the pumping system at the footslope. The findings from lysimeters were compared with LSF collection system measurements. Weighing lysimeter data indicated that LSF controlled ETa rates. The results suggest that the onset of LSF contributes to the spatial crop productivity distribution in hillslopes. The present approach may be useful for investigating the impact of LSF on water balance components for similar hillslope sites and crops or other soil surface covers.
This study investigated the changes in soil physical properties after the abandonment of haypastures dominated by Helictotrichon pubescens and subsequent colonization by successional grasses ...Brachypodium pinnatum and Calamagrostis epigejos. We also investigated if there are linear relationships among the soil physical properties in the studied soils, and the results of the soil chemical property analysis were used as an aid in the interpretation of these relationships. The studied soil was calcocambisol on limestone. Soil samples were collected in disturbed and undisturbed state, and the differences among them were analysed by Mann-Whitney U test, whereas the relationships between soil properties were analysed with simple linear regression models. Soil solid particle density was higher in the B horizons of successional grasslands (median=2.61 g/cm3) than in those of haypastures (median=2.54 g/cm3). The A horizons of haypastures were barely 2–3 cm deep, whereas under successional grasses their depth reached as much as 25 cm. At the same soil depth (10–12 cm), the soil colonized by successional grasses had higher total porosity (median=53.3%) and lower bulk density (median=1.18 g/cm3) than those of haypasture soil (medians of 45.1% and 1.41 g/cm3, respectively). Soil total porosity and water holding capacity were positively linearly associated (r2= 0.71, P<0.0001), but they were both negatively associated with bulk density (r2=0.98 and r2=0.67, respectively, P<0.0001), which was due to strong control of humus over the soil physical properties. We showed that the prevailing grassland type should not be ignored when studying physical properties of a specific soil type.
Hemp is cultivated worldwide and it is adapted to a wide range of agroecological conditions. However, the yield level and the hemp seed oil quality depend on their variability, as well as on ...cultivars and agrotechnical cultivation measures. The objective of this study was determined climatic and pedological conditions of industrial hemp production, cultivar Fedora 17, on two family farms in the area of the western Pannonian agricultural subregion, which occupies about 18.5% of the total area of the Republic of Croatia where 555.198 ha agricultural land is located. It was determined the composition of fatty acids in the hemp seed oil grown during the investigation years 2016 and 2017. Pedological conditions were determined by standard field and laboratory methods, climatic features based on 30-yr analysis (1986-2015) of climatic data while the composition of fatty acid in hemp seed oil is determined by gas chromatography after seeds cold pressing. Results indicate a great heterogeneity of the pedological conditions at the investigated locations, while climatic conditions during the hemp vegetation differed significantly only in average air temperatures. The heterogeneity of the agroecological conditions, primarily pedophysical characteristics, influenced on hemp seed yield which depending on the location and year in which the study was conducted ranged from 350-1200 kg*ha-1, but not infuenced on fatty acids composition in the oil that was of satisfactory quality at both locations and in both years of investigations.
Red clover, although primarily used for dairy cow feeding, can also repair soil structure, fix atmospheric nitrogen and prevent soil erosion. Until recently, the traditional cultivation of red clover ...in Croatia prevailed in suitable habitats. Abandoning of agricultural production is the reason of meadows succession process which can cause genetic erosion and threatens the survival of local population of red clover. Determining of sites according to their ecogeographical characteristics could help to improve the direction of action aimed at conservation of biological diversity of species in its natural habitats as well as the preservation of genetic resources and their use in breeding purposes. The aim of this research was to classify the sites of natural habitats of red clover local populations (under extensive agricultural production) in north-western part of Croatia on the basis of their ecogeographical characteristics. Data of geographical, pedological and climatological characteristics and floristic composition were collected at 18 sites and subjected to multivariate analysis. The main differences among sites were detected in geographical, pedological and climatological characteristics. Floristic structure of investigated sites were consisting of 151 plant species, including a large number of species of ruderal vegetation.
Herbicide residues can potentially injure sensitive crops grown in rotation. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of six replacement crops to mesotrione residues 1 yr ...after herbicide application. In field bioassay, mesotrione was applied at recommended (144 g ai ha.sup.-1), twofold (288 g ai ha.sup.-1), and fourfold (576 g ai ha.sup.-1) rates at two soil types (Gleysol and Fluvisol). In field and laboratory bioassays, mesotrione residual activity was followed for a 21-d period using various measurements of phytotoxicity. No visible injuries to mesotrione residues were observed on oat (Avena sativa L.), rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in the field bioassay. Although mesotrione residues were not detected by HPLC-UV/DAD analysis, field bioassays indicated their presence due to visible injuries on field pea (Pisum sativum L.) grown in Gleysol soil with twofold and fourfold herbicide treatments. In contrast to other test crop responses, sugar beet exhibited visible injuries in both soils, and consequently, was subjected to laboratory bioassay. With increasing mesotrione rates, the reductions in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. var. saccharifera Alef.) fresh weight and total carotenoids content ranged from 6.2% to 18.7% and from 4.1% to 19.4% in Gleysol, and from 1.1% to 7.7% and from 0% to 11.9% in Fluvisol, respectively. Since herbicide residues could not often be detected by instrumental analysis, the bioassays seem to be a reliable tool for crop safety assessment. Key words: Field pea, Fluvisol, Gleysol, phytotoxicity, sugar beet.
Konoplja se uzgaja širom svijeta i prilagođena je širokom rasponu agroekoloških uvjeta. Međutim visina prinosa i kvaliteta ulja sjemena konoplje ovisi o varijabilnosti agroekoloških uvjeta, kao i o ...uzgajanom kultivaru i agrotehničkim mjerama uzgoja. Cilj ovoga istraživanja je utvrditi klimatske i pedološke uvjete uzgoja industrijske konoplje sorte Fedora 17 na dva OPG-a na području zapadno Panonske poljoprivredne podregije koja zauzima oko 18,5% od ukupne površine Hrvatske i gdje se nalazi 555.198 ha poljoprivrednog zemljišta. Određen je i sastav masnih kiselina u ulju sjemena konoplje tijekom vegetacijskih godina 2016. i 2017. Pedološke prilike su određene standardnim terenskim i laboratorijskim metodama, klimatske značajke temeljem analize 30 godišnjeg (1986-2015) niza klimatskih podataka, dok je sastav masnih kiselina u ulju određen plinskom kromatografijom nakon hladnog prešanja sjemena konoplje. Rezultati ukazuju na veliku heterogenost pedoloških prilika na istraživanim lokacijama, dok su se klimatski uvjeti tijekom vegetacijskog razdoblja konoplje značajno razlikovali samo u prosječnim temperaturama zraka. Heterogenost agroekoloških uvjeta, prvenstveno fizikalnih značajki tla, je utjecala na visinu prinosa sjemena konoplje, koji je ovisno o lokaciji i godini istraživanja varirao od 350-1200 kg/ha, ali nije utjecala na sastav masnih kiselina u ulju koje je bilo zadovoljavajuće kvalitete na obje lokacije u obje godine istraživanja.
This study investigated the changes in soil physical properties after the abandonment of haypastures dominated by Helictotrichon pubescens and subsequent colonization by successional grasses ...Brachypodium pinnatum and Calamagrostis epigejos. We also investigated if there are linear relationships among the soil physical properties in the studied soils, and the results of the soil chemical property analysis were used as an aid in the interpretation of these relationships. The studied soil was calcocambisol on limestone. Soil samples were collected in disturbed and undisturbed state, and the differences among them were analysed by Mann-Whitney U test, whereas the relationships between soil properties were analysed with simple linear regression models. Soil solid particle density was higher in the B horizons of successional grasslands (median=2.61 g/cm.sup.3) than in those of haypastures (median=2.54 g/cm.sup.3). The A horizons of haypastures were barely 2-3 cm deep, whereas under successional grasses their depth reached as much as 25 cm. At the same soil depth (10-12 cm), the soil colonized by successional grasses had higher total porosity (median=53.3%) and lower bulk density (median=1.18 g/cm.sup.3) than those of haypasture soil (medians of 45.1% and 1.41 g/cm.sup.3, respectively). Soil total porosity and water holding capacity were positively linearly associated (r.sup.2= 0.71, P<0.0001), but they were both negatively associated with bulk density (r.sup.2=0.98 and r.sup.2=0.67, respectively, P<0.0001), which was due to strong control of humus over the soil physical properties. We showed that the prevailing grassland type should not be ignored when studying physical properties of a specific soil type.
Hemp is cultivated worldwide and it is adapted to a wide range of agroecological conditions. However, the yield level and the hemp seed oil quality depend on their variability, as well as on ...cultivars and agrotechnical cultivation measures. The objective of this study was determined climatic and pedological conditions of industrial hemp production, cultivar Fedora 17, on two family farms in the area of the western Pannonian agricultural subregion, which occupies about 18.5% of the total area of the Republic of Croatia where 555,198 ha agricultural land is located. It was determined the composition of fatty acids in the hemp seed oil grown during the investigation years 2016 and 2017. Pedological conditions were determined by standard field and laboratory methods, climatic features based on 30-yr analysis (1986-2015) of climatic data while the composition of fatty acid in hemp seed oil is determined by gas chromatography after seeds cold pressing. Results indicate a great heterogeneity of the pedological conditions at the investigated locations, while climatic conditions during the hemp vegetation differed significantly only in average air temperatures. The heterogeneity of the agroecological conditions, primarily pedophysical characteristics, influenced on hemp seed yield which depending on the location and year in which the study was conducted ranged from 350-1,200 kg/ha, but not infuenced on fatty acids composition in the oil that was of satisfactory quality at both locations and in both years of investigations. During cultivation industrial hemp in this area, it is necessary to pay more attention to pedological characteristics and agrotehnical cultivation measures, which will ensure high quality of hemp seeda oil as well as higher yields.
Maize (Zea mays) is the leading culture according to sow area in Croatia. Herbicide products based on atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) are most widely used for weed ...control in corn crops. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine the concentration and leaching of atrazine in drainage water in four different variants of pipe drainage spacing (15 m, 20 m, 25 m and 30 m). The study was conduced on the Jelenscak reclamation test field, on hydroameliorated Gleyic Podzoluvisol during four years. Atrazine extracted from the samples of drainage waters was determinated by gas chromatography. Data were statistically processed by means of analysis of variance. The concentrations of the atrazine recorded in drainage waters varied in a wide range, with maximum values recorded soon after its application and at the start of higher drainage discharge. The results indicate that maximal and average concentrations of atrazine in drainage waters exceeded the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) for single herbicides in drinking water (0,1 μg l-1), respectively, in the larger part of the year in all variants of pipe drainage spacing. There were no statistically significant differences between the tested drainage systems in drainage water contamination with atrazine.
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