Effects of desertification on soil and crop growth properties in Horqin sandy cropland of Inner Mongolia, north China

Wind erosion and accumulated sand are recognized as the primary forms of cropland desertification in the arid and semiarid region, Inner Mongolia. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the effects of wind erosion and accumulated sand on soil properties and crop growth properties in this region. A field experiment was conducted from 2001 to 2002 on desertified cropland with gradients of wind erosion and accumulated sand to investigate changes in soil and crop growth properties resulting from desertification in the Horqin sandy land. Results indicated that the soil environment degraded significantly and crop growth and biomass were seriously restrained by wind erosion. In the severely eroded cropland, soil clay, organic matter, total N and P, available N and P, average soil moisture decreased by 59.6%, 71.2%, 67.4%, 31.4%, 64.5%, 38.8% and 51.8%, respectively. Erosion increased soil pH from 8.66 to 8.92; delayed plant life cycle by 6 days, decreased plant height and diameter by 15.5% and 29.1%, and decreased above and below ground biomass and seed yield by 87.3%, 47.9% and 96.5%, respectively. Effects of a little accumulated sand were fewer on soil properties and crop growth and seed yield compared to wind erosion, severe accumulated sand effects on the cropland remain to be studied further. The results of correlation analysis showed that crop biomass and seed production were significantly correlated to organic matter, total N, pH and soil moisture under circumstance of worsened soil environment. In the windy and sandy region in Inner Mongolia, some measures to control cropland erosion should be introduced including construction of windbreak, stubble cultivation, increased organic fertilizer and spring irrigation.