. Agri-news. Agriculture. April 7, 1997-page2 National Soil Conservation Week April 20 - 26, 1997 Erosion models yield information Two fields are nearly identical - the same slope, the same cropping practice and the same rain storm falls on them. But, the soils are different and water erosion on one field is nearly five times higher than on the other. Currently, researchers from Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development's conservation and development branch are measuring water erosion on a variety of soil types. "Our goal is to identify the soils that are particularly vulnerable to
. Agri-news. Agriculture. April 7, 1997-page2 National Soil Conservation Week April 20 - 26, 1997 Erosion models yield information Two fields are nearly identical - the same slope, the same cropping practice and the same rain storm falls on them. But, the soils are different and water erosion on one field is nearly five times higher than on the other. Currently, researchers from Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development's conservation and development branch are measuring water erosion on a variety of soil types. "Our goal is to identify the soils that are particularly vulnerable to water erosion, then be able to help producers select management practices that will reduce the erosion," says Ralph Wright, soil scientist with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. The research is being done in both farmer's fields and the laboratory. The on-farm experiments involve forming a small, sloping channel then running water through the channel, or rill, at various flow rates. Researchers measure the rill shape and collect sediment samples to determine soil loss from the water flow in the different soil types. In the lab, soils collected from the fields are subjected to an artificial rainstorm. Soil loss from the applied rain is also measured. "Both experiments have allowed us to rank the erodibility of the various soil types found across Alberta. So far, the range from the 13 sites we've used is more than 500 per cent. That value is likely to increase as we test more soils," says Wright. While it may seem obvious that some soils are more erodible than others, and that the most erodible soils should be tilled less and have more residue left on them, the research will answer specific questions. How much residue should be left on the field? Should straw be chopped or baled? Is there a difference between fall and spring tillage? Is there a difference in soil loss between conventional fallow and chemical fallow'!' "Our research is gathering
Size: 1526px × 1637px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookco, bookleafnumber82, booksubjectagriculture
