Biological Systems Engineering
Date of this Version
11-1997
Abstract
This study was conducted to identify sediment movement within a strip intercropping system in southwestern Iowa during the third year of a three-year crop rotation. Soil loss, resulting from the application of simulated rainfall to a Monona silt loam soil, was measured from individual corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr), and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) strips, and from multiple strips which included all three crops. Because of the crop rotation and residue management procedures, used at the study site, a substantial amount of surface cover and vegetative mass was present on each of the strips. As a result, soil loss resulting from simulated rainfall applied for a one-hour duration at an intensity of approximately 64 mm/hr (2.5 in/hr) was less than or equal to 1.5 Mg/ha (0.67 tons/acre) from each of the individual and multiple strips. Thus, the strip intercropping system established on this highly erodible site provided effective erosion control.
Comments
Published in the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 52(6) (November-December 1997): 443-447.