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.

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Figure 1

Contents table
1. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Mid-subtropical climate zone
2. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Middle temperate climate zone
3. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Northern subtropical climate zone
4. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Southern subtropical climate zone
5. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Tropical climate zone
6. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Warm temperate climate zone

1. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Mid-subtropical climate zone

According to the statistical comparison displayed also in the evaluation matrix (Figure 2a), cropping pattern of Anthrosols and Acrisols differs from those on most other soil types. For Anthrosols and Acrisols, there could be found a lot rice, root crops and vegetables. Anthrosols soil was mainly associated with long-term human activity, such as from irrigation and the addition of organic waste. Acrisols soil is clay-rich, and is associated with humid, tropical climates. From the viewpoint of climatic and fertility suitability, high share of crops on Anthrosols and Acrisols would present the difference from cropping on other soils. However, these two RSGs are not different from others (Figure 2b). One potential reason is that the ownership of the fields in this area was very scattered (only a few tenths of hectares), in which there are large population and little farmland. Anthrosols considered to be the best soils in the region, with good structure, favourable water retention and conductivity characteristics and rich nutrient reserves.

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Figure 2a
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Figure 2b

Results of the Chi square statistics:

  • RSG are not significantly different from each other.

2. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Middle temperate climate zone

According to the statistical comparison displayed also in the evaluation matrix (Figure 3a), Kastanozems and Solonchaks are the two soil types of which the cropping pattern differs from those of most other soils in the Middle temperate climate zone (Figure 3b). Furthermore the cropping pattern of Chernozems, Cambisols and Fluvisols is different from those of Phaeozems, Luvisols and Gleysols, while the cropping pattern of Anthrosols does not present the difference from cropping on other soils.

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Figure 3a
D2.3 fig10b
Figure 3b

Results of the Chi square statistics:

  • RSG are not significantly different from each other.

3. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Northern subtropical climate zone

In the Northern subtropical area, the cropping pattern of Alisols is significantly different cropping pattern from other soil types except Regosols, Anthrosols and Gleysols. Acrisols is slightly different with Planosols (Figure 4a). It is noted that the areal share of crops of Fluvisols is the highest, and most areas of those soil types are widely planted with vegetables. In this area, Anthrosols and Luvisols are the typical soil types with the areal are of 31% and 25%, respectively. However, those two soil types present various similarity versus other soil types.

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Figure 4a
D2.3 fig11b
Figure 4b

Results of the Chi square statistics:

  • RSG are not significantly different from each other.

4. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Southern subtropical climate zone

Luvisols, Alisols and Leptosols are the three soil types of which the cropping pattern differs from those of most other soils in the Southern subtropical climate zone (Figure 5a). It should be pointed out that the areal share of Acrisols of this zone is 65%, in which the main crop types are root crops and vegetables. Formation of Acrisols occurs under climatic conditions that favour both leaching and intense weathering. These conditions are common in regions with a wet tropical or subtropical climate. The acidity of Acrisols is greater in the surface horizons, where it is normally less than 12.5. Therefore, agricultural use of Acrisols is limited chemically by low fertility. Liming and fertilization are the management practices necessary for the production of reasonable agricultural yields.

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Figure 5a
D2.3 fig12b
Figure 5b

Results of the Chi square statistics:

  • RSG are not significantly different from each other.

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

In the Tropical area, the cropping pattern of Andosols is different cropping pattern from Cambisols and Ferralsols (Figure 6a). Distribution of crops on Regosols differs from that on Anthrosols, Cambisols and Ferralsols. Andosols are soils of active volcanic areas and have a limited extent of Chinese cropland. Andosols is suitable for cultivation due to the favourable physical condition, but the coarse layers of tephra can impede unsaturated water flow. Good quality products are often associated with Andosols, such as of wine. The most typical soil types are Ferralsols, Acrisols and Cambisols, of which the areal shares of tropical climate zone are 28%, 27% and 17%, respectively. Characterized with low agricultural potential, Ferralsols could be improved by anthropogenic disturbance in terms of highly technical interventions and with high levels of investment. Ferralsols soils are very friable and are easy to manage and present a low CEC and quick drainage, in which problems with lixiviation of certain nutrients, as K, can occur. Cultivation on the Acrisols would exposes soils to significant erosion, in that Tropical climate zone usually has a large annual precipitation.

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Figure 6a
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Figure 6b

Results of the Chi square statistics:

  • RSG are not significantly different from each other.

6. Comparative assessment of crop systems on different soils of the Warm temperate climate zone

Great variability of crop distribution by soil types is found in the Warm temperate zone (Figure 7a). Especially Andosols and Regosols show divergence from other soil types in their cropping patterns. According to the soil type selection criterion, soil type should occupy at least 1% of the area of target climate zone and of which at least 10% is cultivated. Both of those two RSGs are not the main soil types of this climate zone. The dominant difference of Andosols and Regosols among other soil types and their small areal share might indirectly result in the insignificant differences found in Figure 7b.

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Figure 7a
D2.3 fig14b
Figure 7b

Results of the Chi square statistics:

  • RSG are not significantly different from each other.

 


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