Effect of slope positions on selected chemical properties of Pseudogley in the vineyard

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the effect of different slope positions on selected chemical properties of Pseudogley in the vineyard. The study was conducted in Zagreb, central Croatia. A total of 15 top-soil samples (0-30 cm) were collected from a hilltop, backslope, and footslope and analysed for pH, hydrolytic acidity (Hy), soil organic carbon (SOC) content, P2O5, K2O, and potentially toxic elements (As, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn). A slight increase in mean pH value from the hilltop to the footslope and a decrease in Hy were observed, although differences were not statistically significant. The SOC content was low and uniform along the entire slope. A significantly higher concentration of P2O5 at the footslope compared to the hilltop was established (10.4 and 3.4 mg/100 g of soil, respectively). The K2O concentration at the footslope (29.7 mg/100 g of soil) was significantly higher than at the backslope (21.2 mg/100 g of soil). The Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations were significantly affected by slope positions in terms of download accumulation. The studied soil was contaminated by As, Ni, and Zn at the hilltop and the footslope and partly at the backslope, according to the Ordinance on the Protection of Agricultural Land from Pollution. The Cu concentrations exceeded the maximum allowed concentrations only on the backslope and footslope. The minor differences in studied soil properties between slope positions can be attributed to a short length, low and uneven inclination, and relatively short-term anthropogenic influence.

Keywords

• nutrients
• ph
• pollution
• potentially toxic elements