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Control of erosion in a mature orchard
Author(s) -
Hipps N.A.,
Hazelden J.,
Fairall G.B.N.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
soil use and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.709
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1475-2743
pISSN - 0266-0032
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-2743.1990.tb00793.x
Subject(s) - orchard , mulch , loam , environmental science , erosion , infiltration (hvac) , straw , erosion control , agronomy , surface runoff , soil loss , hydrology (agriculture) , loess , soil water , soil science , geology , geography , biology , ecology , geotechnical engineering , paleontology , geomorphology , meteorology
. During 1986 erosion on soil mulched with 6 t ha ‐1 of straw was compared with that on soil maintained bare by herbicides in a mature apple orchard. The orchard was on well‐drained soil with a sandy loam top on a slope of 2°. Erosion was greatest in the alleys between the trees, where traffic had compacted and smoothed the soil. The mean annual soil loss on bare ground in the alleys was 0.45 t ha ‐1 ; straw mulch reduced this by 85%. Erosion was worst between July and October, when rainfall > 10 mm h ‐1 was most frequent. However, differences in soil moisture and resistance to infiltration may have also contributed to differences in erosion throughout the year.