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The Effects of Two Farming Systems on Erosion from Cropland
Author(s) -
Bedell Glenn D.,
Kohnke Helmut,
Hickok R. B.
Publication year - 1947
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1947.036159950011000c0096x
Subject(s) - soil conservation , agriculture , tillage , cover crop , conservation agriculture , agroforestry , engineering , agronomy , environmental science , geography , archaeology , biology
I N areas with steep slopes and poorly aggregated soils, erosion is so serious that soil losses are usually recorded in terms of tons per acre or even inches in depth. On the rich soils of the Corn Belt erosion is seldom spectacular. It was expected, however, that their losses of plant nutrients might be relatively great and of economic significance. The purpose of this study was to find out how great these losses are under farming practices common in the eastern part of the Corn Belt; how much they could be reduced by a combination of simple agronomic conservation practices, such as contour cultivation, liberal fertilization, manuring, liming, and the use of crop residues; and what effect such practices would have upon crop yields.