Soil cover and wind erosion

Journal Article · · Trans. ASAE; (United States)

OSTI ID:5837511

Fryrear, D W

Wind erosion on agricultural lands can be reduced if the soil surface is protected with crop residues. In evaluating the influence of residues on wind erosion, previous research has expressed residues of various crops as an equivalent of flat, small grain. This becomes difficult as the density of the residue changes with weathering, or as crops other than the major cultivated crops are grown. Soil losses due to wind erosion were determined by covering various percentages of the soil surface with simulated flat residues (wood dowels 3.1 to 25.4 mm in diameter). Covering 20% of the soil surface reduced soil losses 57%, and a 50% cover reduced soil losses 95%. The expression SLR = 1.81 e/sup x/ where x = /sup -0.072% SC/ describes the relationship between soil loss ratio (SLR) and percent soil cover (% SC) with a correlation coefficient of -0.94 (soil cover limits 8 to 80%). The cover can be any nonerodible material such as large clods, gravel, cotton gin trash, or any diameter stick between 3.1 and 25.4 mm. Percent soil cover is easily measured in the field or can be estimated with a minimum of training and experience.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Agriculture, Big Springs, TX
• OSTI ID: 5837511
• Journal Information: Trans. ASAE; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. ASAE; (United States) Vol. 28:3; ISSN TAAEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
553000 -- Agriculture & Food Technology
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
CONTROL
COVERINGS
CROPS
EQUATIONS
EROSION
EROSION CONTROL
LOSSES
ORGANIC WASTES
PERFORMANCE
RESIDUES
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
SOIL CONSERVATION
SOILS
WASTES
WIND