Sugarcane cultivation changes Ultisols texture and enhances interrill erodibility

Land-use and land-cover change can intensify soil degradation through water erosion, especially in sandy soils that are naturally prone to particle detachment and transport. Agricultural practices modify soil physical and chemical properties, influencing runoff generation and soil-loss rates. In this study, we evaluated whether sugarcane cultivation alters soil erodibility-related properties in Paraná, Brazil. Ultisols under sugarcane were compared with adjacent secondary forest soils (control). Rainfall-simulation experiments were conducted in laboratory plots to assess runoff and erosion responses. The plots were standardized to the same slope (5°) and exposed to an identical rainfall intensity (60.8 mm h⁻¹) for 30 min, with runoff samples collected every 3 min. From these experiments, we obtained the hydraulic parameters, interrill detachment rate, soil loss by erosion, and interrill erodibility. The particle size distribution of the soil surface layer was determined. The sugarcane soil exhibited more clayey surface horizons (48%) with a predominance of dispersed clay (44%), contributing to greater erodibility. However, the forest soil contained nearly 9% more fine sand, but this did not lead to higher erodibility. In forest soil, organic matter was three times higher, which enhanced soil structural stability. Hydraulic parameters did not differ significantly between treatments. Conversely, in sugarcane fields, soil detachment increased by 72% compared with that in forest soil. Moreover, interrill erodibility ( Ki 1.57 × 10 6 ), and soil loss (0.32 kg m -2 ), were significantly higher in the sugarcane soil than in the forest soil ( Ki 8.78 × 10 5 and soil loss 0.18 kg m -2 , respectively). These findings underscore the importance of adopting conservation management practices in Ultisols with steep slopes and pronounced textural gradients to mitigate water erosion and ensure the sustainable agricultural use of these soils. • Sugarcane cultivation altered soil properties related to erodibility. • Soil loss in sugarcane fields was 78% higher than in forested areas. • Sugarcane plots were more clayey and showed more clay dispersion in surface horizons. • Conservation management is essential to mitigate water erosion in Ultisols.