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The influence of rolled erosion control systems on soil moisture content and biomass production: part II. A greenhouse experiment
Author(s) -
Sutherland R. A.,
Menard T.,
Perry J. L.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
land degradation and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1099-145X
pISSN - 1085-3278
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-145x(199805/06)9:3<217::aid-ldr275>3.0.co;2-s
Subject(s) - environmental science , water content , agronomy , microclimate , biomass (ecology) , moisture , aeolian processes , nutrient , ecology , biology , chemistry , paleontology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering
A controlled greenhouse experiment conducted under high shortwave radiation flux explored the relationship between seven rolled erosion control systems (RECS) and a bare control treatment on soil moisture content (SMC), ryegrass yield, and ryegrass nutrient assimilation. All RECS conserved more moisture in the soil profile than the bare treatment. But, differences between RECS occurred. Geojute was the poorest performer, with mean SMC values commonly 18–30 per cent lower than the other RECS studied; and under drought‐induced conditions SMC values were up 22–45 per cent lower than the other systems. Ryegrass yields varied with surface cover, with statistical testing indicating that the bare, Geojute® and P300® treatments were not significantly different. However, the remaining RECS (Futerra®, BioD‐Mat™ 70®, C125®, SC150BN® and Curlex® I) had significantly higher ryegrass yields, with Curlex I® being 25 per cent higher than its nearest competitor, SC150BN®. Ryegrass nutrient concentrations of nitrogen and sulfur were generally similar between rolled erosion control treatments, and no measured macronutrient was considered to be deficient. This information coupled with correlation analysis indicated that the soil thermal regime was the most important limiting factor on biomass production. Additionally, of all variables examined by stepwise regression (microclimate and cardinal properties of RECS) only surface albedo (shortwave reflectivity) was significantly related with ryegrass yield. Closer attention needs to be given to the three‐dimensionality of rolled erosion control fibers, and their radiative properties if designers are interested in maximizing biomass production from slopes covered by RECS in subtropical/tropical and semiarid environments. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.