Abstract:
This rainfall simulation study provided information on the effects of 0.72 m (2.4 ft) wide switchgrass hedges located at the bottom of plots on runoff and soil loss under both no-till and tilled conditions. The study area, which had slopes ranging from 8 to 16%, had produced corn for 33 years and the grass hedges had been established for six years. Simulated rainfall [64 mm hr−1 (2.5 in hr-1)I was applied for two hours to plots (3.7 m (12 ft) wide by 10.7 m (35.1 ft) long/with corn residue and to plots where corn residue was removed. The narrow grass hedges substantially reduced runoff and soil loss. Under no-till conditions, the plots with corn residue and pass hedges averaged 52% less runoff and 53% less soil loss tban similar plots without grass hakes. Under tilled conditions, the plots with corn residue and grass hedges averaged 22% less runoff and 57% Less soil loss than comparable plots without grass hedges. The plots with corn residue removed but with grass hedges present averaged 41 % less runoff and 63% less soil loss than similar plots without grass hedges. Narrow grass hedges are an effective conservation measure, especially when used in conjunction with such conservation practices as no-till or reduced-till firming systems.
Footnotes
L. E. Gilley is an Agricultural Engineer with the USDA-ARS located at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. B. Eghball is an Associate Professor with the Agronomy Department at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. L. A. Kramer is an Agricultural Engineer with USDA-ARS, National Soil Tilth Laboratory, Deep Loess Research Station, Council Bluffs, Iowa. T. B. Moorman is a Microbiologist with USDA-ARS located at tbe National Soil Tilth Laboratory, Ames, Iowa.
- Copyright 2000 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society
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