Vineyard management impact on soil properties, hydrological response and chemical elements transport in a Mediterranean karst environment (Croatia)

Abstract

Soil water erosion in Mediterranean vineyards is a widespread problem because of its high vulnerability to land degradation. A high amount of sediment is transported during rainfall, leading to water pollution. This work aims to study the impacts of three different treatments (Tilled, Herbicide, Grass) during two seasons (Spring and Fall) on soil properties and hydrological response (rainfall simulation experiments 58 mm h −1 for 30 min) on an intensively managed vineyard located in a karstic environment. The results showed that treatment and season significantly impacted soil properties and hydrological response. Higher bulk density (BD), water stable aggregates (WSA), and soil organic matter (SOM) occurred during Spring on the Grass treatment. A significantly high time to ponding (PT), time to Runoff (RT), infiltration rate (IR), sediment concentration (SC), and sediment losses (SL) were recorded on the Tilled and Herbicide treatment. In the Fall, on the Tilled treatment, significantly higher BD, WSA, and SOM were recorded compared to the Spring period, while in the Herbicide and Grass treatment, the same parameters slightly decreased in the Fall. Most soil chemical elements were significantly higher in the Tilled and Grass treatments in Spring and Fall. Element losses were highly correlated to SL, thus making them easily transferable. In Spring, those losses were higher on the Tilled treatment; in Fall, significantly higher losses were recorded on the Herbicide and Grass treatment. Chemical properties were highly related to WSA and SOM while water-holding capacity (WHC) was positively related to PT, RT, and IR. The present study confirms the negative impact of soil tillage or herbicide application on soil properties, hydrological response, and diffuse pollution. Due to this observation, more relevant soil management measures are needed to reduce soil erosion and pollution.