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IMPACT OF WATER EROSION ON TOTAL NITROGEN CONTENT
Abstract
Water erosion is not only agricultural but also environmental problem. Water erosion washes off the finest particles that bind nutrients and other substances. These nutrients are piled up in the accumulation part of the slope. In the worst case, they are completely washed off the farmland, i.e. into water reservoirs and water courses. Additionally, damage to soil and its depletion of nutrients is reflected in lower yields. The aim of our study is to determine the effect of water erosion on total nitrogen content at 21 chernozem plots, in the region of southern Moravia, the Czech Republic. Samples were collected from 21 plots with chernozem damaged by water erosion, located in southern Moravia, the Czech Republic. Soil samples were taken from the topsoil (0-20 cm) from the upper part of a slope (not affected by erosion), from the middle part of the slope (the greatest erosion rate), and at the bottom of the slope (accumulation of washed topsoil). Total nitrogen content was determined by the Kjeldahl method. The effect of water erosion on total nitrogen content was tested using ANOVA in Statistica programme. T-test was used (Statistica) to determine statistical differences between the various positions on the slope. At the top of the slope, 0.16% of the total nitrogen was measured, in the middle of the slope there was a slight decrease to 0.13%, and the total nitrogen content increased to 0.25% at the bottom part of the slope. Statistical analysis ANOVA demonstrated no statistically significant effect of water erosion on total nitrogen content in the topsoil. Despite the failure to demonstrate a statistically significant effect of water erosion on the total nitrogen content, it is apparent that the accumulation part of the slope, where washed topsoil is piled up, shows higher total nitrogen content. The results of T-test revealed that there is statistically significant difference (? = 0.05) between the middle part, which is the part most heavily damaged by erosion, and bottom of the slope, which is the accumulation part of the slope.
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