How to effectively reduce sloping farmland nutrient loss and soil erosions in the Three Gorges Reservoir area

Fertilization and soil conservation measures play crucial roles in influencing nutrient loss and soil erosion on sloping farmlands. However, the long-term effects of these measures and the characterization of nutrient loss and sediment yield under different rainfall types and crop growth stages were not well studied. Therefore, we designed six treatments for sloping farmlands in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area with a field experiment. A field experiment included downslope cultivation with chemical fertilizer (DF), downslope cultivation with chemical fertilizer plus manure (DFM), cross-slope cultivation with chemical fertilizer plus manure (CFM), no-till straw cover with chemical fertilizer plus manure (NSFM), ridge plant hedges with chemical fertilizer plus manure (RFM), and biochar interception ditches with chemical fertilizer plus manure (BFM). The results indicated that soil and water conservation measures in association with manure substitution significantly reduced runoff depth (14.3–22.5 %), sediment yield (10.3–46.5 %), and total nitrogen (TN) loss (13.5–36.5 %) compared to DF. NSFM significantly reduced total phosphorus (TP) loss by 17.4 % and the TP loss from the other treatments did not show significant differences compared to DF. Rainfall intensity and runoff depth were identified as critical factors influencing nutrient loss and soil erosion. NSFM showed maximal nutrient reduction performance under different rainfall intensities, while DFM was not significantly effective. NO 3 - -N and particulate P dominated the loss of TN and TP. The first 30 minutes of runoff generation and the seedling stage were identified as risk periods for N and P loss. The study suggests that the NSFM treatment was the appropriate method to prevent soil and water nutrient loss. This provides important insights for the precise control of nutrient loss and soil erosion on sloping farmlands. • Cross-slope cultivation and no-till straw cover are effective measures to reduce nutrient loss and soil erosion. • Initial runoff and the seedlings stage are the critical period for nutrient loss and sediment yield. • Controlling heavy rainfall events and initial runoff is crucial for reducing nutrient loss and soil erosion. • NO3--N and particulate phosphorus are the primary forms of N and P loss.