RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Land-leveling effects on soil texture, organic matter content, and aggregate stability
JF Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
FD Soil and Water Conservation Society
SP 412
OP 415
VO 45
IS 3
A1 Paul W. Unger
A1 Larry J. Fulton
A1 Ordie R. Jones
YR 1990
UL http://www.jswconline.org/content/45/3/412.abstract
AB Land leveling improves water conservation on dryland. However, leveling shifts the depth to soil horizons relative to the original soil surface and, thus, may cause unfavorable surface conditions after leveling, depending on the nature of the subsurface horizons. Soil conditions on leveled and adjacent nonleveled plots were evaluated. Leveling significantly affected soil sand, silt, clay, and organic matter contents and aggregate stability. But changes were relatively small. Therefore, land leveling is recommended for improving crop productivity on dryland on soils, such as Pullman clay loam. The leveling should be limited to narrow strips so that maximum depth of cut is 10 cm (4 inches) or less.