ABSTRACT
The relationship between soil productivity and erosion is complex, and soils are not the sole factors controlling crop yields. More efficient agronomic practices frequently mask the effects of erosion on yield as a result of new crop varieties, management practices, and fertilizer technology. The changes in topsoil properties which appeared to have the greatest impact on soil productivity and quality were an increase in clay content and a decrease in organic carbon for the severely eroded soil phases. The severity of the impact appears to depend upon numerous cheat needs much higher inputs for optimum economic yield as compared to other areas. There are many soils in the north central United States that either have dense subsoils or have developed over dense glacial-till parent material. Soils were selected from each participating state in the north central United States based on the importance of the soil for a given state and its use as an agricultural soil.
