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Effect of Surface‐Applied Wheat Straw on Soil Water Losses by Solar Distillation
Author(s) -
Greb B. W.
Publication year - 1966
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/sssaj1966.03615995003000060035x
Subject(s) - straw , mulch , environmental science , soil water , agronomy , canopy , soil science , botany , biology
Soil surface application of 1,120, 2,240, and 3,360 kg/ha of wheat straw ( Triticum aestivium L,), equivalent to 30, 60, and 90% soil surface coverage, reduced water losses from a wet soil surface by solar distillation 16, 33, and 49%, respectively, for a 20‐day period compared with no straw. A surface application of 6,720 kg/ha, or 180% soil coverage, reduced soil water loss only slightly more than did the 3,360 kg/ha application. Water losses and effectiveness of straw tended to diminish with time as soil water was depleted. The presence of clear plastic canopy increased daily soil temperature maximums at 2.5‐cm depth by approximately 11.5F. Maximum daily soil temperatures, both with and without plastic, were reduced nearly 3 F/1,120 kg per ha of added straw. The results suggest part of the mechanism by which more soil water is conserved under stubble mulch summer fallow than with clean fallow.