Soil Erosion Control Methods PDF

SOIL EROSION CONTROL Soil erosion control It refers to practices and methods used to prevent or reduce the removal of topsoil by wind, water, or other natural forces. Soil erosion can lead to the degradation of land, loss of fertility, and increased sedimentation in water b...

SOIL EROSION CONTROL Soil erosion control It refers to practices and methods used to prevent or reduce the removal of topsoil by wind, water, or other natural forces. Soil erosion can lead to the degradation of land, loss of fertility, and increased sedimentation in water bodies, which negatively impacts agriculture, ecosystems, and infrastructure. Approaches used in soil erosion control Natural method Vegetative method Natural method The natural method uses natural processes and materials to control soil erosion, often without introducing living plants. This method takes advantage of the natural landscape, organic materials, and structures to reduce erosion and preserve soil. Benefits: Uses available natural materials. Can be implemented with little or no additional planting. Works well in areas where vegetation might not be feasible due to climate or soil conditions.  Vegetative method The vegetative method involves using live plants, grasses, shrubs, or trees to stabilize the soil. Vegetation is planted or encouraged to grow in areas prone to erosion, and it works by binding the soil with roots and providing ground cover to reduce the direct impact of rain and wind. Benefits: Provides long-term soil stabilization. Supports biodiversity by creating habitats for wildlife. Reduces the impact of both wind and water erosion. NATURAL AND VEGETATIVE PRACTICES Contouring Types, Advantages & Disadvantages, and its effect in Soil Conservation What is Contouring? Contouring, or contour farming, is an agricultural technique designed to reduce runoff and prevent soil erosion on gently sloped land by planting and cultivating along the natural contour lines of the terrain.  What is Contouring? It is the practice of tilling, planting, and performing all cultural operations following the contour lines of the field slope. This practice contrasts with up- and down-slope farming, which is the least desirable practice on highly erodible sloping lands. Furrows in an up- and down-slope direction become channels of concentrated runoff, forming rills or even gullies. Contour farming is being adopted in modern agriculture across the world for soil erosion control.  Types of Contours Contour Plowing Definition: Plowing along the natural contours of the land rather than in straight lines. Benefits: It reduces soil erosion by slowing down water runoff and allows more water to infiltrate the soil. Common Usage: Used in hilly or sloped areas to Types of Contours Contour Strip Cropping Definition: Growing crops in strips along the contours, alternating with strips of grass or cover crops. Benefits: The strips of grass slow water flow, reducing erosion and maintaining soil fertility, while the crop strips capture nutrients and moisture. Common Usage: Often used in combination with contour Types of Contours Terrace Contouring Definition: Creating stepped or terraced levels on steep slopes, where each "step" acts as a flat area for planting. Benefits: Slows water flow, maximizes water retention, and prevents soil erosion. Common Usage: Used in mountainous or hilly terrain, especially in Types of Contours Contour Bunding Definition: Building small earthen embankments along the contours of sloped land. Benefits: These bunds act as barriers to water flow, helping water to soak into the soil and reducing erosion. Common Usage: Often used in dry or semi-arid Types of Contours Contour Trenching Definition: Digging trenches along the contour lines to catch and hold water. Benefits: Promotes water infiltration, reduces runoff, and prevents soil erosion. Common Usage: Employed in areas with limited water availability to maximize water use.  Contouring Controls Erosion  Planting along contours captures and directs water along land’s natural slopes, reducing soil surface runoff and erosion.  Contour plowing and planting create barriers that trap sediment and organic matter, enhancing soil fertility.  Slowing water flow along contours minimizes soil displacement and erosion, preserving the land.  Water flowing along contour lines has more time to infiltrate into the soil, aiding groundwater recharge and maintaining soil moisture.  ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGE OF CONTOURING  ADVANTAGE 1. Reduces Soil Erosion: By plowing along the contour lines, the practice helps to slow down water runoff and reduce the erosion of topsoil, which is crucial for maintaining soil fertility. 2. Improves Water Retention: The furrows and ridges created by contour farming can enhance water infiltration and retention in the soil, reducing the need for additional irrigation and helping plants access moisture more effectively. 3. Enhances Soil Structure: It can help in the development of better soil structure by promoting organic matter decomposition and reducing compaction, leading to healthier soil. 4. Conserves Fertility: Reducing soil erosion means that essential nutrients are less likely to be washed away, which can help in maintaining soil fertility. 5. Prevents Runoff: By managing runoff more effectively, contour farming can help reduce the risk of downstream flooding and protect water quality by minimizing sediment and nutrient runoff into water bodies. 6. Sustainable Practice: It’s a sustainable agricultural practice that supports long-term land productivity and environmental health.  DISADVANTAGE 1. Initial Cost and Labor: Setting up contour farming can require significant initial investment and labor to map out the contours and make the necessary adjustments to equipment and planting practices. 2. Maintenance Requirements: The practice may require ongoing maintenance to ensure the contours remain effective, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall or where soil erosion continues to be a concern. 3. Potential Yield Reduction: In some cases, contour farming might lead to slightly lower yields compared to conventional methods due to changes in planting patterns or reduced efficiency in large-scale machinery use. 4. Complexity: Implementing contour farming can be more complex than traditional farming methods, requiring more planning and management to ensure effectiveness. STRIP CROPPING  What is Strip Cropping? A method of farming that involves the alternation of close strip crops with small grains. It is usually employed on sloppy land and also where this method remains the only available solution to prevent erosion. (Mary, 2022) The practice of growing alternate strips of different crops in the same field. For controlling water erosion, the strips are on the contour, but in dry regions, strips are placed normal to the prevailing wind direction for wind erosion control. (Huffman et al., 2013)  Purpose used either to improve soil health or support primary species growth. Secondary species seldom bring additional income to yield producers but are the cheapest conservation tillage technique.  tackles wind and water erosion;  improves water infiltration;  retains soil moisture;  boosts soil fertility;  attracts pollinators  How Does Strip Cropping Prevent Soil Erosion? It is typical to use strip cropping to reduce soil erosion, both on sloped and flat fields, especially by combining species with different root systems. Deep-rooted plants fix the soil with their roots and protect it from rill water erosion, being a natural barrier to flowing streams. Besides soil protection, strip cropping with cover crop may be additionally used as green manure or grazing and forage material. Types of Strip Cropping  Contour Strip Cropping Crops are planted along the contour of the land, especially on slopes. This method slows down water runoff, preventing soil erosion.  Field Strip Cropping Crops are arranged in parallel lines across flat or gently sloped fields. It’s used where erosion risk is lower, allowing efficient machinery movement.  Buffer Strip Cropping Buffers like grasses or legumes are planted between crop strips on steep slopes. These buffer strips prevent soil erosion and protect against nutrient runoff.  Wind Strip Cropping Crops are planted in rows perpendicular to the wind direction. Tall crops like corn or sorghum shield smaller crops from wind damage.  ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF STRIP CROPPING  Advantages 1. Erosion Control - Strip cropping slows down water runoff, reducing soil erosion. Why It's Better: Compared to Contouring: Provides extra erosion protection by using different crops as barriers. Compared to Mulching: More effective over large areas, as crops provide long-term 2. Nutrient Management- Different crops use and replenish nutrients, enhancing soil fertility. Why It's Better: Compared to Contouring: Contouring doesn't impact nutrient cycling as much. Compared to Mulching: Mulching doesn’t actively manage soil nutrients like alternating crops do. 3. Pest and Disease Control - Crop diversity helps disrupt pest and disease cycles. Why It's Better: Compared to Contouring: Contouring doesn’t address pest control directly. Compared to Mulching: Mulching only provides minimal pest protection, while strip cropping offers better pest disruption.  Disadvantages 1. Management Complexity - Requires detailed planning for crop rotation and spacing Why It’s a Challenge: Compared to Contouring: Contouring is simpler once the rows are planned along the slope. Compared to Mulching: Mulching is 2. Field Management Challenges- Different crops in alternating strips complicate machinery use. Why It’s a Challenge: Compared to Contouring: Consistent rows make contouring easier for machines. Compared to Mulching: Applying mulch is straightforward and doesn’t interfere with machinery. 3. Less Immediate Moisture Benefit - Strip cropping doesn’t retain moisture immediately like mulching. Why It’s a Challenge: Compared to Mulching: Mulch covers the soil, providing instant moisture retention, while strip cropping focuses on long-term soil health. MULCHING How does mulching control erosion? It is a highly effective method for controlling soil erosion, acting as a protective barrier against the erosive forces of wind and water. Reduce the Impact of Rain: Mulch acts as a cushion, absorbing the impact of raindrops and preventing them from dislodging soil particles.  Slow Down Water Flow: On slopes, mulch slows down the flow of water, giving it more time to seep into the ground rather than running off and carrying soil with it. Improve Soil Structure: Decomposing organic mulch materials, such as wood chips, leaves, and straw, gradually release nutrients and organic matter into the soil, improving its structure and stability.  Reduce Wind Erosion: Mulch acts as a windbreak, reducing the velocity of wind gusts and preventing them from picking up and carrying away soil particles. Retain Soil Moisture: Mulch helps to retain soil moisture by reducing evaporation.  SLIDE*  Soil and water conservation by mulching : Mulching helps retain soil moisture by minimizing evaporation and stabilizing soil temperature, ultimately reducing the need for irrigation during crop growth (Kader et al., 2017). Water conservation through mulch: Reduced evaporation Improved water infiltration Reduced Runoff  Soil conservation through mulch: Erosion control Improved soil structure Nutrient retention  ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF MULCHING Advantages of Mulching Disadvantages of Mulching 1. Prevention of Soil Compaction and Crusting 1. Need for Periodic 2. Slowing Down Runoff and Replenishment Increasing Infiltration 2. Fire Hazard Risks 3. Improvement of Soil 3. Pest Habitat Structure 4. Potential for Reduced Air 4. Binding Soil Particles and Water Infiltration Together 5. Nitrogen Tie-Up 5. Protection from Sun and Wind 6. Significant Reduction in Erosion Losses THANK YOU!