Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer 한국토양비료학회 학회지 ISSN:0367-6315(Print) 2288-2162(Online)

Soil loss due to water erosion is a common phenomenon, which affects Kimchi cabbage (KC) productivity in the highland regions of Gangwon State Government. It is important to estimate soil losses in these cropping systems to provide basis for proper soil conservation measures. This research was conducted at the Highland Agriculture Research Institute to evaluate soil losses during KC cultivation and post-harvest in 2, 7 and 15% slope lysimeters in the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 growing seasons. Cabbage residue was spread on the land post-harvest, after which it decomposed and was succeeded by volunteer grass. Rainfall amounts and intensities, percent soil coverage, soil losses and cover management factors (C factor) were investigated. Soil losses ranged from 0 - 2.689 tons ha^-1 in 2% slope, 0 - 13.818 tons ha^-1 in 7% slope and 0 - 85.596 tons ha^-1 in 15% slope lysimeters in both KC cultivated land and bare land. However, soil losses under KC cultivation were always in minimal sections of the range. The order of importance for the soil loss contributors was as follows: rainfall intensity > rainfall amount > percent soil cover. Reduction in C factors as slope gradients increased (in both years) showed that KC was more efficient at reducing soil losses at steeper slopes. Post-harvest soil loss depended largely on rainfall amounts received, which directly affected the rate of cabbage residue decomposition and the length of time land may be uncovered. It was concluded that growing KC in the highland region conserves soil, however, it is equally important to grow cover crops after KC harvest to keep the soil covered for longer. Cover crops may also replenish soil fertility if tilled back into the soil before the next KC growing season.

Relationships between soil losses and rainfall intensities under KC cultivation in 2, 7 and 15% slope lysimeters (using data points from the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 experimental years).