Soil & Tillage Research最新文献

{"title":"Divergent accumulation of particulate and mineral-associated organic carbon driven by intercropping duration in apple orchards","authors":"Rongqin Zhang ,&nbsp;Xiaomeng Wei ,&nbsp;Ming Li ,&nbsp;Huike Li ,&nbsp;Xining Zhao ,&nbsp;Zhilong Duan ,&nbsp;Hua Gao ,&nbsp;Xiaolin Song","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107128","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107128","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) are critical to soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation and stabilization, yet their responses to intercropping duration and underlying microbial drivers remain poorly understood. Using a long-term apple orchard experiment on the Loess Plateau, this study evaluated white clover intercropping of 8 years (8-yr) and 16 years (16-yr) on POC and MAOC contents across the 0–60 cm soil profile, and examined accumulation mechanisms through microbial life-history strategies, enzyme activities, and microbial carbon pump efficiency. The results demonstrate that MAOC (66–90 %) accounted for a larger proportion of SOC than POC (10–34 %). In the 0–20 cm soil layer, MAOC primarily drove SOC increases induced by intercropping. In deeper soil layers, 8-yr increased POC in the 20–40 and 40–60 cm but did not alter MAOC, whereas 16 yr increased MAOC by 62 % and 34 %, respectively. Intercropping increased microbial necromass carbon (MNC), but the extent varied with intercropping duration and soil depth. Specifically, 8-yr increased both bacterial and fungal necromass (BNC and FNC) in the 0–40 cm soil layer. In contrast, 16-yr enhanced MNC across the entire 0–60 cm profile and notably promoted the accumulation of BNC in 40–60 cm soil layers. Random forest and path modeling indicated stronger links of microbial necromass and resource-acquisitive traits to MAOC than POC. These findings reveal duration-dependent shifts in SOC fraction dynamics regulated by microbial life-history strategies and MCP efficiency. Our work provides a mechanistic basis for optimizing intercropping duration to enhance SOC sequestration in intercropping systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 107128"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146175020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unraveling mechanistic insights into soil nitrogen transformation processes for improving NUE in paddy rice systems","authors":"Shending Chen ,&nbsp;Ahmed S. Elrys ,&nbsp;Qiaodong Chi ,&nbsp;Wenyan Yang ,&nbsp;Lei Meng ,&nbsp;Zucong Cai ,&nbsp;Jinbo Zhang ,&nbsp;Baojing Gu ,&nbsp;Christoph Müller","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107104","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107104","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rice generally exhibits lower nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) than other crops, yet the nitrogen (N) process-level mechanisms underlying regional variation remain unclear. Here, we conducted a multi-scale investigation combining laboratory soil incubations, pot experiments with ¹⁵N tracings, and field trials across 50 soil samples from China’s rice fields. We quantified soil N transformation rates, evaluated pot-based NUE, and tested N management strategies in two paddy sites with contrasting soils. Results revealed substantial regional differences in gross N transformations, including mineralization, nitrification, and ammonium immobilization, with northern soils exhibiting longer mean retention times of ammonium (average 19.5 days) than southern soils (average 5.4 days). Ammonium retention time was more closely associated with NUE than temperature, precipitation, or nitrification rates. Field trials confirmed that ammonium-stabilizing treatments, particularly combined nitrification and urease inhibitors, improved both yield and NUE in alkaline soils. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for region-specific N management to enhance rice productivity while reducing environmental losses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 107104"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146146673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tracing the source of organic carbon in particulate and mineral-associated soil fractions in response to tillage and nitrogen fertilization intensities","authors":"Hem C. Sharma ,&nbsp;Wei Ren ,&nbsp;Laura E. Lindsey ,&nbsp;Hanna Poffenbarger ,&nbsp;Pierre-Andre Jacinthe","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107113","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107113","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>While tillage management and nitrogen (N) fertilization can affect soil organic carbon (SOC) status, information is limited regarding the combined effect of these practices on SOC distribution between the labile particulate organic matter (POM) and the stable mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) soil fractions. Given that low tillage intensity favors SOC protection and N fertilization increases crop residue input into soil systems, it was hypothesized that long-term no-till (NT) (compared to moldboard plow, MB) and high rate of N fertilization would enhance SOC stability by promoting the conversion of POM into stable MAOM. To test that hypothesis, surface (0–5 cm) and subsurface (15–30 cm) soil samples were collected from research plots (Kentucky, USA) under continuous corn (<em>Zea mays</em> L.) for 52 years, managed with either NT or MB, and receiving N fertilizer at 0, 84 or 168 kg N ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. Soil samples were fractionated using sonication and sieving (POM: &gt;20 μm; MAOM &lt;20 μm), and the amount of corn-derived C in each fraction was quantified using ¹ ³C natural abundance. Results showed that, in the surface soil layer, NT (compared to MB) enhanced total C and corn-derived C in both the POM and MAOM fractions whereas N application only impacted the MAOM fraction. Further, in the NT surface soil layer, the soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and the fungal-to-bacterial ratios were all higher than under MB. These, along with a strong relationship between MBC and MAOM, indicated greater retention of corn residue C as microbial by-products in MAOM under NT than MB. In the subsurface layer, the MAOM was also higher under NT than under MB (despite similar POM level), suggesting that leaching of dissolved organic C and subsequent formation of organo-mineral complexes at depth could be the underlying mechanism. Overall, NT positively impacted both the labile POM and the stable MAOM soil fractions, underscoring its contribution to soil health and SOC sequestration in agroecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 107113"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146146671","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Functional differentiation of cover crops in the long-term no-tillage vegetable system","authors":"Lucas Raimundo Rauber ,&nbsp;Leonardo Khaoê Giovanetti ,&nbsp;Carolina Oliveira De Alcântara ,&nbsp;Pedro de Mello Holme ,&nbsp;Cledimar Rogério Lourenzi ,&nbsp;Claudinei Kurtz ,&nbsp;Jucinei José Comin ,&nbsp;Arcângelo Loss","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107102","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107102","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Conservation Agriculture for vegetable production, which is designated as No-Tillage Vegetable System (NTVS) in southern Brazil, sustainably improves food production through the strategic arrangement of cover crops (CCs) in crop rotation. However, the functional differentiation of CCs arrangements needs further understanding in NTVS. This study investigated the functional differentiation of CCs combinations in an NTVS in southern Brazil. The experiment was conducted on a Humic Dystrudept soil in southern Brazil. Treatments included: T1 — fallow in fall/winter (weeds, mainly <em>Galinsoga parviflora</em>) followed by onion (<em>Allium cepa</em> L.) and then corn (<em>Zea mays</em>) (F/Oni/C); T2 — turnip forage (<em>Raphanus sativus</em> L.) in fall/winter followed by onion and then millet (<em>Pennisetum glaucum</em>) (T/Oni/M); T3 — mix of oats (<em>Avena strigosa</em>) and turnip forage in fall/winter, followed by onion and then beans (<em>Phaseolus vulgaris</em>) (O+T/Oni/B); and T4 — oats in fall/winter followed by onion and then soybean (<em>Glycine max</em>) (O/Oni/S). From 2024–2025, after 16 years of long-term experiment that has been carrying out, the following traits were evaluated: soil penetration resistance (PR) (0–50 cm); aggregate stability (0–10 cm); water infiltration into the soil (using concentric double ring); carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents (0–10 cm); β-glucosidase enzyme activity and glomalin fractions (0–10 cm); qualitative indices of soil structure and health; and biomass production by CCs. The onion yield data from 2019 to 2024 was also added to the database. The system with the greatest diversity of CCs (O+T/Oni/B) showed the highest water infiltration. The T/Oni/M treatment promoted greater enzymatic activity and lower PR (0–15 cm). Treatments with summer grasses (T/Oni/M; F/Oni/C) resulted in higher biomass production and improved qualitative indexes of soil health, while those with summer legumes (O+T/Oni/B; O/Oni/S) increased onion yield. Aggregate stability, C and N content, and glomalin levels in the soil were high across treatments but had no significant differences. In conclusion, each CC system provides specific benefits to the soil. These findings demonstrate the high degree of functional differentiation of CCs in organic NTVS, allowing management to be tailored to goals (e.g., biomass production, biological activity, water infiltration, or crop yield). The diversity of species, the quantity and type of biomass, and seasonality influence the physical and biological properties of the soil and the functional differentiation between CCs in a long-term organic NTVS. Qualitative indicators of soil health complement quantitative indicators and broaden the functional differentiation of CC arrangements, guiding the regenerative management of soil health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 107102"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146134160","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electron transfer coupling with biogenic elements conversion in farmland soil: A review","authors":"Sihan Zhao ,&nbsp;Guang Yang ,&nbsp;Yuewei Yang ,&nbsp;Xin Yu ,&nbsp;Jialu Sun ,&nbsp;Xiaolin Zhang ,&nbsp;Pinpin Yang ,&nbsp;Xiaodong Zhao ,&nbsp;Xiaojing Li","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107112","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107112","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Farmland soil is a complex system involving the conversion of multiple biogenic elements, which plays a key role in maintaining soil ecological balance. Extracellular electron transfer (EET) is an essential driving force for material circulation and energy exchange. Thus, it affects the biogeochemical processes and cycles of soil elements, including mineral formation and evolution, nutrient cycling and even the removal of pollutants and the improvement of cultivated land quality. This review summarizes the progress of research on electron transfer in farmland soil. It provides an overview of electroactive microorganisms, electron transfer modes, and their coupled conversion with carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and iron elements. Afterwards, future research directions are expected, including an in-depth exploration of electron transfer mechanisms, optimization of electron transfer pathways, and improvement of biogenic element conversion. This review puts forward a new way to regulate the biotransformation of elements and provides support for improving the fertility of farmland soil and promoting the sustainable development of agriculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 107112"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146146687","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Broadcasting cover crops at corn harvest can maximize biomass and reduce nitrogen leaching","authors":"Mary Michael Lipford Zahed ,&nbsp;Joseph R. Haymaker ,&nbsp;Joshua Mott ,&nbsp;A. Ozzie Abaye ,&nbsp;Mark S. Reiter","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107064","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107064","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mitigating nitrogen (N) leaching from agricultural fields is critical for improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Because N mineralization continues after corn (<em>Zea mays</em> L.) uptake ceases, losses may occur between harvest and cover crop (CC) establishment. The objectives of this study were to identify effective establishment methods and CC species for N uptake and biomass production; determine whether planting at harvest enhances N scavenging compared to delayed planting; and assess impacts on corn yield. Four seeding methods were evaluated: (1) broadcasting with incorporation at corn harvest, (2) broadcasting without incorporation at corn harvest, (3) broadcasting with incorporation four weeks post-harvest, and (4) drilling four weeks post-harvest, using cereal rye (<em>Secale cereale</em> L.), hairy vetch (<em>Vicia villosa</em> Roth), rapeseed (<em>Brassica napus</em> L.), and a three-species mix. In Year 2, fall soil nitrate concentrations at 0–15 cm depth in post-harvest treatments (11.4–11.8 mg kg⁻¹) were more than double that of at-harvest treatments (5.2 mg kg⁻¹), with at-harvest incorporated rye showing the lowest winter nitrate (1.7 mg kg⁻¹). At-harvest mix and hairy vetch accumulated the most N in aboveground biomass (181–208 kg ha⁻¹). Year 1 corn yield increased following at-harvest hairy vetch (11,022–11,384 kg ha⁻¹) and incorporated mix (11,587 kg ha⁻¹) compared to the control (8895 kg ha⁻¹), though not in Year 2. Incorporation did not significantly affect outcomes compared to non-incorporated treatments. Planting CCs at corn harvest maximized N accumulation, biomass, and nitrate reduction, offering a practical strategy to mitigate N leaching.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"259 ","pages":"Article 107064"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combining tillage and nitrogen practices to optimize soil nitrogen dynamics and wheat yield across various soil textures, using RZWQM2","authors":"Saadi Sattar Shahadha,&nbsp;Mawj R. Al-Hamdany","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107093","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107093","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The optimal combination of tillage and nitrogen practices could be an effective strategy for improving crop yields and mitigating soil nitrogen loss. This study aimed to identify the optimal combination of field management practices for controlling soil nitrogen distribution and enhancing wheat yield across various soil textures in the semi-arid region of Iraq, using agricultural modeling. The Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM2) was calibrated and validated using experimental field data from the 2023 and 2024 wheat-growing seasons. Various modeling scenarios were then created to evaluate and determine the optimal combination of tillage practices (deep tillage and shallow tillage) with nitrogen fertilization rates (100 and 250 kg N/ha) for sandy clay and silty clay soils. The model was successfully calibrated and validated with an accepted range of statistical indicators. Simulation results indicated that both soil textures presented comparable responses to all management practices. Simulation results indicated that, deep tillage practice reduced soil nitrate leaching and N₂O emissions by an average of 0.04 μg/cm² and 0.27 kg/ha, respectively, while increasing nitrate retention in the soil profile and wheat production by an average of 0.05 and 0.03 kg/ha, respectively, compared to shallow tillage. Applying 250 kg N/ha increased soil nitrate flux and N₂O emissions, particularly when combined with shallow tillage. Therefore, combining deep tillage with nitrogen application rates is the optimal field management approach and is suggested for both soil textures, as it minimizes soil nitrogen loss and enhances wheat productivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"259 ","pages":"Article 107093"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146071660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Straw return modulates surface energy balance and soil hydrothermal dynamics during freeze-thaw period","authors":"Wanning Wang ,&nbsp;Hexiang Zheng ,&nbsp;Xingwang Wang ,&nbsp;Delong Tian ,&nbsp;Qian Wang ,&nbsp;Zailin Huo","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107083","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107083","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Straw return modifies topsoil properties that are crucial for understanding soil-atmosphere interactions and their impact on soil hydrothermal conditions in seasonally frozen areas. However, the effects of uniformly returning crushed straw (3–5 cm in length at 1.6–1.8 kg·m⁻²) on the surface energy balance (SEB) and soil water-heat dynamics during the freeze-thaw period remain inadequately quantified. We conducted a two-year field experiment in a cold-arid region of Northwest China, employing a Bowen ratio energy balance system (BREBS) to monitor SEB components (Rn, Gs, H, LE), alongside soil temperature and moisture. Results demonstrated that straw return (ST) obviously altered SEB components during freeze-thaw periods. Specifically, over the two-year period, seasonal variations showed that ST reduced Rn by 8.6–9.1 W·m⁻² relative to NT, decreased Gs by 0.24 W·m⁻², lowered LE by 49 %, while increased the Bowen ratio by 48 % and H. During the thawing period, diurnal variations showed LE decreasing by 36 % and H increasing by 11 % under ST compared to NT. Furthermore, ST delayed topsoil thawing by 3–7 days, increased unfrozen water content (UWC) by 2.9–4.3 %, reduced freezing depth, and stabilized deep-layer soil temperature and moisture. These findings endorse straw return as a viable strategy for conserving soil moisture, mitigating frost damage, and optimizing spring sowing schedules in arid cold regions.’</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"259 ","pages":"Article 107083"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146047955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Temporal trajectory and determinants of permanent gully erosion in the grassland: A long-term analysis spanning 1973–2020","authors":"Zhicai Xiao ,&nbsp;Mingming Guo ,&nbsp;Xin Liu ,&nbsp;Zhuoxin Chen ,&nbsp;Xingyi Zhang ,&nbsp;Jinzhong Xu ,&nbsp;Shaoliang Zhang ,&nbsp;Jielin Liu ,&nbsp;Xing Han ,&nbsp;Ruifeng Xie","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107098","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107098","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Grassland ecosystems, particularly in cold and high-altitude regions, are highly vulnerable to gully erosion owing to their simple structure and environmental sensitivity, making it a severe form of grassland degradation. However, most previous studies have focused on agricultural systems, leaving limited understanding of the long-term evolution and drivers of permanent gullies in grasslands. To address this issue, we analyzed gully erosion dynamics and its determinants in a 103 km² area of the Hulunbuir grassland using remote sensing image from 1973, 1983, 2011, and 2020. Results showed that gully quantity, gully density and ground lacerative degree increased by 54.13 times, 286.66 times, and 591.01 times, respectively from 1973 to 2020, with the annual soil loss thickness of 0.023 mm. From 1973–2020, the average gully erosion rates in length, width, area, and volume were 4.64 m yr⁻¹ , 0.06 m yr⁻¹ , 17.17 m² yr⁻¹ , and 20.44 m³ yr⁻¹ , respectively. The merge of gullies (MG) showed greater linear gully erosion rate and areal gully erosion rate than newly formed gully (NFG) and continuously developing gully (CDG), while NFG showed the highest gully widening rates. Gully erosion rates in length, area and volume peaked at 4–5° slopes, with sunny and semi‑sunny aspects being more conducive to development, and linearly increased with gully drainage area. Cumulative gully growth length (ΔL), area (ΔA), and volume (ΔV) increased as a power relationship of cumulative climate indicators (Pre, R, R10, R95p, RX5day, SDII, Tem) and human activity intensity (grazing intensity, built up area, road density). The coupled effects of human activity with topography and climate exert the greatest influence on gully erosion, with the relative contribution of 37.13 % and 35.75 %, respectively. Overall, during 1973–2020, permanent gullies in the Hulunbuir grassland remained in the early lifecycle stage of development. However, intensifying anthropogenic pressures coupled with amplified climate variability progressively elevated erosion risks. This trajectory necessitates implementation of scientific gully control strategies to curb accelerated soil loss and establish sustainable human-land synergies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"259 ","pages":"Article 107098"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146110571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Threshold effects of resistant-layer thickness on gully development in the black soil region of Northeast China","authors":"Lei Ma ,&nbsp;Chunmei Wang ,&nbsp;Guanghui Zhang ,&nbsp;Manuel La Licata ,&nbsp;Yanru Wen ,&nbsp;Michael Maerker ,&nbsp;Qinke Yang ,&nbsp;Guowei Pang ,&nbsp;Enheng Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107059","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107059","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gully erosion severely threatens land resources and agricultural sustainability, yet the role of subsurface erosion-resistant soil layers remains poorly understood. This study integrated sub-meter imagery with stratified soil sampling (0–120 cm depth) across 79 gullies with comparable slopes gradient and catchment areas on a farm (570 km²) in the black soil region of northeast China to quantify how erosion-resistant layers control gully sidewall expansion and headcut retreat. Ten soil properties were analyzed to construct a PCA-based comprehensive soil erosion resistance score (CRS), revealing a decline in CRS with profile depth and a hierarchy of soil resistance: Black soil &gt; Black soil-Loess transition layer &gt; Loess &gt; Loess-Sand transition layer &gt; Fluvial sandy. The first two layers were identified as erosion-resistant layers. Through threshold effect analysis, a threshold erosion-resistant layer thickness of 53.88 cm was identified (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01) for sidewall expansion, revealing a 1.36 cm/yr acceleration in gully sidewall expansion per 1 cm thinning within the threshold thickness. Gullies with erosion-resistant layers below the sensitivity thickness experienced 2.03 times higher expansion rate. Gullies newly formed since 2010 exhibited a lower threshold (34.90 cm) than the pre-existing gullies. Gully headcut retreat rate was 43 % higher if the resistant layer was thinner than 54.28 cm, despite no significant detectable threshold. The threshold erosion-resistant layer thickness is potentially modulated by the depth of soil cracks and needs further investigation. This study highlights the importance of soil-profile features, not just surface properties, in gully erosion research. Integration of this threshold into gully erosion models could revolutionize gully prediction and precision conservation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49503,"journal":{"name":"Soil & Tillage Research","volume":"259 ","pages":"Article 107059"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145941286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}