Main authors: Gergely Tóth, Xiaodong Song, Brigitta Tóth,Tamás Kismányoky, Oihane Fernandez-Ugalde
Editor: Jane Brandt
Source document: Tóth, G. et al. (2017) Spatial analysis of crop systems in relation to pedoclimatic conditions in Europe and China. iSQAPER Project Deliverable 2.3 34 pp

 

The analysis of crop systems in the pedoclimatic zones was performed by main climate zones (Figure 1). shows the main climate zones in Europe.

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Figure 1

Contents table
1. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Atlantic climate zone
2. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Sub-Oceanic climate zone
3. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Northern Sub-Continental climate zone
4. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Mediterranean Semi-Arid climate zone
5. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Southern subcontinental climate zone
6. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Mediterranean (temperate and sub-oceanic) climate zone
7. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Temperate mountainous climate zone

1. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Atlantic climate zone

According to the statistical comparison displayed also in the evaluation matrix (Figure 2a), cropping pattern of Histosols differs from those on most other soil types except for Fluvisols and Podzols to the greatest extent. Furthermore the cropping pattern of Albeluvisols is significantly different from those of Arensools, while the cropping pattern of Arenosols is also significantly different from that of Fluvisols (besides Albeluvisols and Histosols).

The difference in the pattern of Histosol cultivation is largely due to the relatively high share of rootcrops on this soil type, which is cultivated on a significantly higher share of the area of this soil than on other soil types in the Atlantic climate zone (Figure 2b). Histolsols are soils of loose structure, which is optimal for growing root crops. Therefore favouring root crops on this soil can be considered as good agronomic practice. According to our findings rootcrops are given preference over maize, and to some extent oil crops on these soils. Potato and sugar beet are predominant among rootcrops of the climate zone. Both crops are selective in their forecrops and may return to the rotation after 4 years. The high spatial extent of rootcrops on Histosols suggest that farmers aim the maximum capacity of rootrcrop (potato and sugar beet) production on these soils, considering agronomic possibilities.

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Figure 2a
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Figure 2b

On Albeluvisols areas proportionally more oilcorps (rapeceed) and maize are grown than on Arenoslos and Histosols. In the meantime the proportional areas of rootcrops and cereals are smaller. As Albeluvisols are generally low fertility soils not particularly suitable for arable cropping, the relatively higher share of cashcrops may be a result of intensive cultivation driven by economic incentives, rather than a search for the most suitable crops.

Dominancy of cereals on Arenosols can be explained by the advanced technologies of high intensity farming for these crops. Moisture availably, which is often the limiting factor for cereal cultivation is secured under the Atlantic climate. Easy workability and weed control along with well-planned nutrient management can secure high returns from cereals in this pedoclimatic zone. crop types Reference Soil Groups

Results of the Chi square statistics:

  • HS is significantly different from AB, AR, CM, GL, LP, LV (and almost from FL, but not from PZ),
  • AB is significantly different from AR, HS (and almost from PZ),
  • AR is significantly different from AB, FL, HS (and almost from GL),
  • FL is significantly different AR ( and almost from HS),
  • GL is significantly different from HS (and almost from AR),

at 0.05 level.

2. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Sub-Oceanic climate zone

Cropping on Podzols and Gleysols is somewhat different from those on the rest of the soil types (Figs. 3a, 3b). A higher share of cereals and lower share of oil crops is observed in the cultivation pattern of these two soils in the Sub-Oceanic climate zone. However, these differences are not significantlyificant. Nevertheless, cultivation of cereals on Podzols is successful if moisture is available and fertilization is adequate. Both conditions are given in this climate zone and its countries with agriculture of advanced technological levels. Rapeseed, which is the predominant oilcrop in the region and which is primarily cultivated for animal feed and also for canola oil, has a need for quality seedbed preparation and high input of nutrients. The easy workability of Podzols would make them optimal for rapeseed production. However, disparity between the high nutrient demand of rapeseed and the low nutrient supply of Podzols can be lessened probably only with such high inputs, which are not economic. Cambisols and to some extent Luvisols, Leptosols and Regosols of the region are more suitable for rapessed than for more demanding crops like maize, which is reflected in the cultivation share of those soils.

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Figure 3a
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Figure 3b

Cereals and oil crops have similar share on Gleysols to those on Podzols. However, Gleysols have higher share of maize. Gleysols are hydromorpic soils, of which the subsoil is wet for most part of the year, therefore cultivating maize – a crop of high water and nutrient demand – can be regarded an appropriate practice from pedological viewpoint on areas with light to medium or medium-heavy texture.

It is worth emphasising once again that while cultivation patterns of different soil types show slight variations, these variations do not reach the degree to be significant.

Chi square statistics: There is no significantly difference between any RSG at 0.05 level.

3. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Northern Sub-Continental climate zone

Kastanozems have significantly different cropping pattern from all other soil types, which are cropped similarly to each other (Figs. 4a, 4b). High share of maize and oil crops on Kastanozems present the difference from cropping on other soils. Kastananezoms considered to be the best soils in the region, with good structure, favourable water retention and conductivity characteristics and rich nutrient reserves. Furthermore these soils situate on the southern parts of the climate zone making it favourable for crops with higher temperature needs. The areal share of maize cultivation on Kastanozems is so high, that it alone shifts the average value of corn for the entire region. As a result, the share of maize on all other soil types differs significantly. Oilcrops have relatively high share on Kastanozems too. From the viewpoint of climatic suitability, rapeseed is the main oilcrop to grow in this zone. Rapeseed, along with maize, is among the most demanding crops regarding nutrient uptake, especially P, of which high stock is available in Kastanozems. Cereals and rootcrops, on the other hand can be cultivated successfully on other soils too. Although Kasetnozems would be their most suitable growing medium, higher economic return of oilcrops and maize supress cereal and rootcrop areas in this zone.

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Figure 4a
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Figure 4b

Results of the Chi square statistics:

  • KS is significantly different from all other RSG at 0.05 level.
  • Other RSG are not significantly different from each other.

4. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Mediterranean Semi-Arid climate zone

Great variability of crop distribution by soil types is found in the Mediterranean Semi-Arid zone (Figs. 5a, 5b). Especially Acrisols, Calcisols, and Fluvisols show divergence from other soil types in their cropping patterns. Acrisols, soils with rather poor fertility and low pH are not preferred for cereal cultivation but have significantly higher share of oil crops than any other soil types. Sunflower is the predominant oilcrop in this climate zone. Sunflower is tolerant to lower pH, which makes Acrisols acceptable edaphic environment for sunflower especially in contrast to maize, but also to cereals in general, which prefer soils with rather neutral reaction. Calcisols, on the contrary, have a significantly lower share of oil crop (sunflower) and significantly higher share of cereals than the average share of Acrisols, Vertisols and Regoslos. The cropping pattern of Fluvisols is significantly different from that of Acrisols and Vertisols too and these differences are caused by the low share of oil crops on Fluvisols. Both Calcisols and Fluvosols have higher shares of cereals, which is significantly higher on Calcisols, than those of all other soil types. Both Fluvisols and Calcisols are among the fertile soils of the region, although the fertility of Calcisols may be limited by the availability of trace elements, especially Fe and Zn. Nevertheless our analysis shows that the distribution of crops follow the pedoclimatic conditions in this climatic zone.

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Figure 5a
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Figure 5b

Results of the Chi square statistics:

  • AC is significantly different from all other RSG,
  • CL is significantly different from AC, RG, VR,
  • FL is significantly different from AC, VR,

at 0.05 level.

5. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Southern subcontinental climate zone

There are two types of soils of which the cropping pattern deviates from the typical pattern of the zone, namely Gleysols and Podzols (Figs. 6a, 6b). Distribution of crops on Gleysoils significantly differs from that on Podzolz, Histosols and Leptosols and the share of its maize growing area is significantly higher than that of any other soil type of the zone. This is explained by the hydromorphic features and consequent water regime of Gleysols. Cultivating maize on Gleysols can be successful under this climate, because water supply on Gleysols can be secured from groundwater also during the critical periods in July and August, when climatic drought is frequent and water demand of maize is the highest. Favouring maize to cereals on Gleysols have another pedoclimatic reason too. Gleysols are among the soils which are most prone to excess water, especially in early spring, which presents high risk in the cultivation. This risk can be lessened if spring crops with sowing time after the wettest period are cultivated. Majority of cereals are autumn plants under this climate, thus maize is an excellent alternative for that reason too. As the sowing time of maize is normally after the period of highest inland water risk, cultivating maize on Gleysosls can be regarded as a win-win situation.

Podzols are situated in those parts of the Southern subcontinental climate zone, which has relatively higher precipitation and consequent lower mean temperature. Probably this is one of the reasons for their unique cropping pattern including high shares of cereals, which is different from those of all other soil types in the climate zone, rather than their pedological properties. Apart from the relatively high rate of cereals, root crops (predominantly potato) which are also abundant in this zone have wide climatic suitability as well. However, in the case of rootcrops edaphic suitability plays an equally important role too, as the loose topsoil structure of Podzols is favourable for rootcrop.

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Figure 6a
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Figure 6b

Results of the Chi square statistics:

  • Podzols are significantly different from all other RSG,
  • Gleysols are significantly different from HS, LP, and PZ,

at a 0.05 level.

6. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Mediterranean (temperate and sub-oceanic) climate zone

Calcisols and Podzols are the two soil types of which the cropping pattern differs from those of most other soils in the Mediterranean (temperate and sub-oceanic) climate zone (Figs. 7a, 7b). In fact, these are the two soils with the largest (Calcisols) and smallest (Podzols) area cover of agricultural land in this climate zone. Podzols are cultivated for oil crops in significantly higher share than any other soil type under this climate, and the areal share of root crops is also rather high on Podzols. Legumes, maize and cereals, on the other hand occupy relatively smaller areas, although not significantly smaller, than on other soils in the zone. We believe that this cultivation pattern is reflecting the suitability of Podzols for crops which require loose soil structure and have tolerance to moderately acidic pH. Calcisols, being one of the most fertile soils in the zone is mainly cultivated for cereals and oilcrops, which are also the two most abundant crop groups of the zone. Although the relative share of cereals is higher and oil crops is lower than the average of the zone, these differences are not significant. The same applies for the relatively larger areas of legumes. Maize, on the other hand is cultivated on significantly smaller shares of Calcisols, than of the average of the zone. This finding suggest, that cereals and oil crops are the main plants in the rotation, with legumes and root crops playing a smaller role, just like maize, which is less considered in this soil than on others.

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Figure 7a
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Figure 7b

Results of the Chi square statistics:

  • Calcisols are significantly different from FL, LV, PZ (and almost from CM and RG),
  • Podzols are significantly diff. from CL, CM, LP (and almost from FL)

at 0.05 level.  

7. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Temperate mountainous climate zone

Gleysoils are significantly different from all other soil types, due to their lower share of oil crops area and higher share of root crops (Figs. 8a, 8b). One explanation for these findings might be related to the soil geographical and genetic origin of Gleysols. In mountainous areas Gleysols are mostly located on plots with flat topography, where underground water causes reducing conditions. Cultivated Fluvisols of river valleys in this zone can have similar conditions, apart from the constant groundwater influence resulting gleyic properties. While Fluvisols show similar cropping pattern to that characteristic for the whole of the climate zone, Gleysols are used significantly less for oilcrop production and more for rootcrops. We belive that this is due to two reasons. On the one hand, Gleysols are not very suitable for rapeseed (the most common oil crop in this climate zone), particularly if the reductive layer is at shallow to medium depth, because rapeseed needs rather deep rooting zone free of hydromorphism. Rapeseed requires good, fertile soil with high or medium pH values and it doesn’t tolerate compacted soils. These two phenomena are characteristic for the Gleysols in the mountainous regions of Europe. Furthermore long winter and excessive snow cover, which are frequent in this region, are not desirable. Because of the unsteady level of the yield, the successful cultivation of this crop is not assured.

On the other hand potato (the most common rootcrop in this climate zone) finds suitable compartments on Gleysols where gleyic properties are below the top soil layer. Potato appreciates cool temperature and balanced climate and tolerates soil acidity too. However, this crop demands good soil management, for which the technology and traditions are available in this region. Regarding climatic conditions sugarbeet production in general can be successful too and Gleysoils might be suitable to grow the beet after ameliorative soil management, including drainage (as the most important action to reduce the influence of water) loosing, liming and good seedbed preparation.

One should also always keep in mind that agricultural land is rather rare in this climate zone of mountainous land. Therefore local cropping practices – which traditionally are geared towards satisfying local consumption mainly of potato – can diverge the overall picture to a great degree. Rootcrops on Gleysosls are concentrated in the Northern Alps and the central Carpathians. Over-presentation of root crops in this climate zone (table 8b) is due to the wide-ranging potato cultivation on these areas with relatively higher share of agricultural land, compared to other areas in this climate zone.  

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Figure 8
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Figure 8b

Results of the Chi square statistics:

  • Gleysols are significantly different from all other RSG at 0.05 level.
  • Other RSG are not significantly different from each other.

 


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