Effect of phosphogypsum and turkey litter on the erodibility of agrochernozems of the southern Cis-Ural (Russia) under artificial heavy rainfall

Abstract

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of surface application and plowing of phosphogypsum and turkey litter to a depth of 20 cm on the erodibility of clay-illuvial agrochernozem (Luvic Chernozems (Aric, Pachic)) in the Southern Cis-Urals (Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia). Under laboratory conditions, 1°, 3°, and 7° slopes were modeled. Soil loss, runoff onset time, and turbidity were measured with a rainfall simulator. Particle size distribution and total organic carbon were measured. Under simulated heavy rainfall (360‒420 mm h −1 ) for 30 min, the untreated control had the highest soil loss (28.9 t ha −1 ). Separate and combined introductions of phosphogypsum and turkey litter significantly increased soil resistance to water erosion. Co-introduction of the amendments strengthened this effect especially when the phosphogypsum to turkey litter ratio increased from 1:10 to 1:2 at the higher dose (60 t ha −1 ). The turbidity of the runoff from a 1° slope reached a small peak within the first 3 min then gradually decreased thereafter. At 3°, the turbidity remained nearly constant over time and was uniformly distributed. At 7°, the turbidity sharply increased then gradually decreased and its distribution was a deformed bell. Washed-out (trapped) sediments from all treatments and slopes had relatively more very fine sand, silt, and clay and a slightly higher total organic carbon content than the original soil. Phosphogypsum and turkey litter wastes may be effective anti-erosion amendments and potential fertilizers because they increase flocculation, improve the structure, and enrich the organic matter and nutrient content of the soil.