Response of Runoff, Sediment Yield, and Runoff‐Related Dissolved Organic Carbon Loss to Variable Straw Mulching Rates on Sloping Lands of Regosols

Bibliographic Data

ID21647682
AuthorsKe Liang (0000-0001-7271-9047, College of Resources and Environment Southwest University Chongqing China), Liang Ke (0009-0008-2954-1827, Southwest University), Tianyang Li (0000-0002-2913-5596, College of Resources and Environment Southwest University Chongqing China, corresponding author), Yaoyue Zhang (College of Resources and Environment Southwest University Chongqing China), Haixiang Zhang (0000-0002-7311-5605, College of Resources and Environment Southwest University Chongqing China), Binghui He (0009-0000-5599-5939, College of Resources and Environment Southwest University Chongqing China, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume36
Issue1
Pages49-60
Publication date2025-01-15
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLand Degradation and Development (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1085-3278 • E-ISSN: 1099-145X
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ldr.5343
OpenAlexW4403566836
LanguageEN
References cited47

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC), an organic carbon fraction with high activeness and mobility, migrated by runoff is a key part in carbon cycle. A rational straw mulching rate can be regulated to obtain maximum benefits while controlling runoff and sediment yield on sloping lands. However, little remains known about the optimal straw mulching rates required for effectively reducing the loss of DOC in runoff. Therefore, to overcome the existing limitations, this study investigated the effects of modified maize straw mulching rates on the loss of DOC during runoff, utilizing indoor rainfall simulation. Five mulching rates, including 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 kg m −2 [control (CK) and treatments (T1, T2, T3, and T4), respectively], were tested in combination with three slope gradients (10°, 15°, and 20°) to evaluate how straw mulching rate influences runoff, sediment yield, and runoff‐related DOC loss under a heavy rainfall intensity of 90 mm h −1 . Our results showed that various straw mulching rates did not significantly differ runoff rates; however, straw mulching significantly reduced sediment concentration and yield. Moreover, the reduction in sediment yield increased with an increase in mulching rate. Compared to the CK, T1 resulted in a 63% increase in DOC loss at a slope of 20°. Additionally, T2 caused an 8% and 7.2% increase in DOC loss at both 10° and 15° slopes. Conversely, T3 and T4 reduced DOC loss by 54.1%–80.8% and 51.1%–65.2%, respectively, across all slope gradients. These results suggested that mulching rates of 0.2–0.4 kg m −2 may potentially increase DOC loss in runoff on the sloping lands. Our results hold significant importance in optimizing the use of straw mulching for sustainable management practices in agricultural lands

Agronomy · Dissolved organic carbon · Geotechnical engineering · Mulch · Regosol · Sediment · Soil classification · Soil water · Straw · Surface runoff · Total organic carbon · Aeolian processes and effects · Chemistry · Environmental Science · Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics · Soil erosion and sediment transport · Ecology · Environmental Chemistry · Geology · Oceanography · Soil Science

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