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ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #102086
Title: COVER MANAGEMENT IN RELATION TO EROSIONAL LOSSES UNDER SIMULATED RAINFALL

Author
item NARAIN, PRATAP - DEHRADUN, INDIA
item SINGH, R - DEHRADUN, INDIA
item SINDHWAL, N - DEHRADUN, INDIA
item Norton, Lloyd

Submitted to: International Soil Conservation Organization (ISCO)
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/24/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A study was conducted on 8% slope in 8 plots of 1.0m x 7.5m on loam soil containing 22% clay and 35% silt. In cropped plots, corn was grown in 60 cm contour rows with and without 4 t ha-1 mulch of crop residues. The canopy and land cover were varied. After 1 month of sowing, 50% plants were thinned and used as mulch retaining 50K and 75K plants ha-1. Cowpea and Chrysopogon fulvus grass were tested along with cultivated fallow. In fallow erosion plots, mulch was applied @ 1, 2, 4 and 6 t/ha in two replications, which created 23, 42, 69 and 100% ground cover. Simulated rain was applied each year at 3 monthly stages and twice on fallow plots. Runoff was measured at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13 and 15 minutes and analysed for sediment. Ground cover, canopy cover and canopy height were measured fortnightly. Cover treatments were compared for runoff and soil losses considering year as the replication. Erosion was related to different cover parameters and rainfall. Ground cover and residues were more efficient in controlling erosion in corn than above ground canopy cover. During a high intensity simulated storm 4 t ha-1 residue was less effective in controlling runoff but prevented soil loss up to 90% compared to unmulched plot. Increasing plant population to 150K ha-1 and thinning 50% to provide 2.8 t ha-1 residue reduced soil and water loss. Chrysopogon grass provided best protection and cultivated fallow had the greatest erosion. Cover practices could be arranged in decreasing order of runoff production: CF Corn-50K, Corn 150K+50% mulch, cowpea, corn 50K+4 t mulch, grass. The order of sediment concentration was corn 50K+4 t, grass, corn 150K+50% mulch, cowpea, corn 50K CF. The research impact provides info to farmers on best management practices to control erosion.