ON THE EFFECT OF CORN CROPS ON SOIL EROSION IN THE AREA OF LATACUNGA, ECUADOR

Studies were conducted in the equatorial Andes, in the region of the canton of Latacunga, Republic of Ecuador. A comparison was made of eroded soils on the slopes with corn crops and pasture areas. In the soil sectors occupied by corn, a low organic matter content of 0.31 - 0.82 % is revealed. Pasture soil soils have indicators of 1.67 - 1.71 %. It has been established that the cultivation of corn on steeply inclined slopes in the mountainous part of Ecuador leads to significant erosion degradation of land.